At the recently concluded Future Art & Design Award UK, pianist and composer Chia-Hui Shen was honored for her evocative and emotionally rich composition, Sterna Santa. Blending storytelling, symbolism, and deeply personal themes, Shen’s work stood out for its originality and emotional depth.
Please give us a brief introduction about yourself and your creative background.
I’m Chia-Hui (Ellie) Shen, a Taiwanese pianist, composer, and Music Director of the Ars Nova Music and Arts International Exchange Program, with a Master’s degree in piano performance from the United States. In recent years, I’ve focused on composing original music that blends classical roots with contemporary themes. My works—often performed internationally—explore emotional depth, social and cultural issues, and human connection. My compositions have been honored with the Gold Award at the 2025 Kyla Artist Prize in France, and selected as featured works at the Rome and Venice International Art Fairs. I hope my music not only resonates with the audience, but also becomes a voice that reflects the times we live in.
What inspired you to pursue a career in creative?
My passion for music started at a young age, but it was never just about technique or performance. Over time, I realized that music could be a powerful way to express things that are hard to put into words—emotions, memories, or even social issues. One moment that truly confirmed this path for me was during a live performance. After I finished playing, a member of the audience came up to me in tears, saying they had been deeply moved by the music. That moment made me realize: this is what music should be—it should touch people, create resonance, and form connections between strangers through shared emotions. Throughout history, many composers—like Chopin—reflected their era through music. His works carried the spirit of revolution and captured the emotional landscape of his time. I’ve always found that deeply inspiring. In my own way, I also hope to preserve the essence of our time through music—expressing the struggles, longings, and hidden emotions of today’s world, and creating a meaningful connection with people of my generation.
Can you describe the creative process behind your work and what motivates you to create?
My creative process often begins with a feeling, a quiet image in my mind, or a moment that leaves an emotional trace. I don’t start by thinking about structure or form—I start by listening inward. Sometimes it’s a personal memory, other times it’s a reflection on the world around me: the fragility of human emotions, cultural shifts, or even social tension. Once that emotional seed is planted, I begin translating it into sound—improvising at the piano, letting ideas emerge organically. I focus on atmosphere, on creating a soundscape that allows the listener to feel something, even if they can’t explain what it is. What motivates me most is the possibility of connection. When someone tells me that my music made them cry, or reminded them of something they couldn’t put into words, that’s when I feel I’ve fulfilled the purpose of creating. I believe music has the power to preserve the spirit of our times, much like composers in the past—such as Chopin—whose works carried the emotional weight of their era. I hope my music can do the same for mine.
What was the most exciting or challenging part of creating the work you submitted to the competition?
The piece I submitted, Sterna Santa, was inspired by the Nordic winter and the mystical atmosphere surrounding Christmas in Northern Europe. The creative process began with an ancient-sounding melody that emerged naturally, almost like a whisper from another time. Later, I imagined a mythical creature—half-human, half-arctic tern—named Sterna Santa. This being mimics the voice of children to draw parents’ attention to those who are forgotten or unheard. Although Sterna Santa tries to help others, society sees him as a monster and eventually kills him—until his lover reveals the truth, that he was in fact a kind soul. The most challenging and meaningful part was translating this emotional, symbolic story into music: the misunderstood kindness, the tension between love and fear, and the loneliness of being different. I wanted to create a piece that doesn’t explain itself in words, but allows the audience to feel its sadness, beauty, and humanity through sound.
How would you describe your creative style and the key characteristics that define your work?
My creative style is rooted in classical music but shaped by storytelling, emotion, and atmosphere. Rather than focusing on technical brilliance or traditional forms, I aim to create immersive soundscapes that speak to the heart. I believe music doesn’t always need to be understood—it needs to be felt. A key characteristic of my work is its emotional subtlety and symbolic depth. Many of my pieces are inspired by myths, contemporary social issues, or personal memories, and often carry a narrative layer beneath the music. I also explore contrasts—between beauty and sorrow, silence and sound, human and otherworldly. My goal is to create music that resonates deeply, that lingers in the listener’s memory like a dream or a quiet thought they can’t quite explain.
What has been your experience participating in the competition? Were you satisfied with the process and results?
Participating in this competition has been a truly encouraging experience. I felt that the process was smooth, transparent, and artist-friendly. What impressed me the most was the platform’s openness to diverse forms of creative expression, including music and interdisciplinary works. Receiving the Silver Award gave me a sense of affirmation—not only for my artistic direction, but also for the deeper themes I try to express through music. It motivates me to keep creating and sharing my voice with a wider audience. I’m sincerely grateful for this opportunity, and I truly hope to collaborate with this platform again in the future. I also hope they will continue to support original, boundary-crossing works like mine.
Where do you see the future of the art and design industry heading in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5–10 years, I believe the art and design industry will become increasingly interdisciplinary and emotionally driven. As technology continues to advance, artists are finding new ways to blend traditional mediums with digital tools, creating experiences that are immersive, interactive, and deeply personal. I also see a growing demand for works that speak to real human issues—identity, social justice, mental health, and emotional connection. People are looking for authenticity, and I believe art that reflects the complexities of our time will resonate the most. For musicians like me, this means continuing to cross boundaries—collaborating with visual artists, filmmakers, or even AI, while staying rooted in emotional truth. I believe the future belongs to those who are brave enough to express something real, and who can offer audiences not just aesthetics, but meaning.
Follow the artist:
Instagram: @ellie_musical_fermata
Faceboook: Ellie's Musical fermata
YouTube: @elliefermata
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