Artist Bio

Stella Chang was born in San Jose, California and grew up between the U.S., Taiwan, and Canada. In 2003, she attended New York University, where she studied studio art under the guidance of video art pioneer Peter Campus and American painter Keith Mayerson. In 2006, she received her BFA but temporarily set aside her artistic pursuits to design fashion handbags for renowned brands including Kate Spade, Rag & Bone, and Coach, among others. In 2012, Stella received a letter of recognition from the queen of fashion herself, Anna Wintour.

Just when she thought her path was clear, Stella encountered a significant autoimmune health challenge in 2021, which compelled her to leave behind a thriving fashion career spanning almost two decades. The subsequent two years were filled with visits to numerous specialists in search of a diagnosis. During this trying period, Stella rediscovered the therapeutic power of painting as a means to calm her mind and self-manage chronic pain.

To maintain her sanity, she defaulted to her creative roots and embarked on artistic experimentation by exploring a range of mediums including watercolor, ink illustration, digital art, and 3D printing. Through these diverse forms of expression, she started creating visual narratives seeking to transcend the constraints of trends and seasons. Many of her stories now convey messages of light and hope, while others emerged from experiences of fear, despair, perseverance, and the will to live. 

Throughout her journey, Stella was astounded by a profound resonance with her work that people started sharing with her at art fairs and pop-ups. This inspired her to dedicate her life to crafting visual narratives that invite audiences to examine their paths for getting through their own life challenges.

After two arduous years in pursuit of a diagnosis, Stella finally found a Rheumatologist who refused to give up. In March 2023, she was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disorder (UCTD) only to have the diagnosis upgraded to Lupus 5 months later. Responding positively to her treatment, Stella's creative process is now firmly grounded in Charles Kettering's quote: "Imagination is the only limitation."

In 2023 Stella was discovered and signed to the prestigious fine art publisher Rosenstiels, London 1880

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