Peng Wu He/They http://pengwu.works/ emailpengwu@gmail.com Engaged & Public Arts/Social Practice; Non-Disciplinary; Graphic Design In-person, Online, Hybrid mentor BIO Peng Wu is a social practice artist. Born and raised in China, he creates public art installations and participatory events to reflect on societal yet personal struggles, including immigration, sleep deprivation, and mental health issues. Wu has lived and worked in Minneapolis since 2011 as a temporary foreign worker - as defined by his visa status. His art of searching for a sense of home and rest is deeply informed by the decade-long impermanence. To earn a longer legal status of staying in this country he has to work day and night restlessly. At one point he suddenly found: he couldn’t fall into sleep at night. “How’s your sleep?” became the way he often greeted his immigrant friends. With no health insurance coverage, he couldn’t afford the insanely expensive hospitals here. So he proposed to create an art project to cure his sleep disorder as his residency project at Weisman Art Museum. In collaboration with sleep researchers and doctors, he created large architectural installations to facilitate numerous public events to examine the cultures and politics of sleep. TEACHING PHILOSOPHY & MENTORSHIP My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that education should empower individuals to think critically and independently. As an artist and educator, I strive to create a safe and inclusive learning environment where students feel comfortable engaging in open and authentic conversations. Through these discussions, I aim to facilitate deep, exploratory learning that challenges students to question their assumptions and find answers for themselves. I believe that this approach to teaching not only helps students become lifelong learners and thinkers but also contributes to creating a more equitable and inclusive society. To achieve these goals, I draw on the insights I have gained from my work as a social practice artist, where I often start by creating spaces for conversations and social engagement. This experience has taught me the importance of facilitating open dialogue and creating a safe space for everyone to engage with their own learning. By incorporating these principles into my teaching, I hope to inspire my students to become independent artists and thinkers who are equipped to make a positive impact on their communities and the world.