Nomad No Mad Space (NNM) is a nonprofit, artist‑run institution founded in Shanghai in 2023. It comprises an artist studio, a study center, and independent exhibition spaces, offering an open, multidimensional platform for creative work, exchange, and presentation.
NNM especially welcomes women artists who are committed to sustained creative practice. Exploring new narrative possibilities reveals how women artists communicate with their surroundings, what issues they raise, and how they address them.
Grounded in supporting and respecting women’s artistic endeavours, NNM values independent critical thinking in project proposals and offers structured internships for women seeking hands‑on experience in curating and arts management.
Rooted in constructing a shared sense of human community, NNM embraces its responsibility for public art education. Through a global open call for artist residencies, it aims to promote mutual understanding and cross‑cultural dialogue among diverse communities.
NNM is an open space for art that connects four key areas: exhibitions, training, artist residencies, and partnerships.
Its mission is to celebrate cultural diversity and give real social meaning to artistic work.
Who are the partners ?
Nomad No Mad has been founded in 2023. Dan Zhou officially partnered with Laurence Chellali in 2025 to operate Nomad No Mad Space (南荻纵生) together.
Dan Zhou
Dan Zhou is graduated from RMIT University in Australia with a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art Photography. She employs experimental photography and mixed‑media creation as a methodology to explore the interactive relationship between individual narrative and collective memory.
Dan develops her creative practice through research on the physical properties of materials. She continues to observe and explore the ontological characteristics of different materials, attempting to present the subtle tension between introspective consciousness and the traditional social evaluation system in the composite expression of images and installations.
She likens her creative process to knocking on two walls: one representing the inner world of personal expression and the other symbolizing the broader social and cultural systems. Dan acknowledges that an individual voice is weak, but she is sure every voice matters. Meanwhile, she believes art can create echoes that resonate far beyond the individual to offer new perspectives and create meaningful dialogue in an ever-evolving cultural landscape.
Laurence Chellali
With a background in both journalism and web design, Laurence Chellali a multifaceted photographer who combines artistic expression with documentary storytelling. Her work blends visual creativity with narrative, drawing on her diverse experiences to create images that are both thought-provoking and deeply connected to the human experience.
Her work has been exhibited internationally in galleries, museums, as well as at festivals in China, France, and Italy. Hers works have also been published in international magazines and newspapers. She is represented by OFOTO Art Gallery in Shanghai and by VISION QUEST Gallery in Italy. She is a member of the DALAM IMAGES agency and STUDIO HANS LUCAS (specializing in documentary photography), and a contributor to the ARCANGEL IMAGES agency (focused on artistic illustration photography).
Having lived in Italy for 10 years, she has been based in China since 2015. In addition to her photographic practice, she teach photography courses and workshops for adults.
Our Activities
Rethinking How We Curate Art
Curating is at the heart of NNM. Through a structured training program, we help young curators think critically and develop their skills. Every project follows a full path — from idea to research to final presentation — turning each exhibition into a space for sharing ideas. Our annual exhibition also encourages artists to explore social issues and spark real conversations with audiences.
A Living Learning Space
The NNM Study Center is built around three key goals: sharing knowledge with the public, developing practical skills, and encouraging creative expression. It’s a place for learning and growth — especially for artists and creatives who may be overlooked by mainstream channels. Starting in 2025, we’ll run themed workshops to welcome even more people into the community.
Connecting Cultures Through Artist Residencies
The NNM Global Artist Residency helps artists deeply engage with new cultures through a three-step process:
- Research based in the local community
- Creative work that reflects cultural exchange
- Public sharing and open dialogue
This approach creates real cultural understanding — not just surface-level exchange. The first 2025 residency project, focused on photography, is already underway.
COME TO SEE US !
We are open from Tuesday to Sunday
from 12:00 to 18:00
546 Yuyuan Rd, Building 6, Jing’an, Shanghai
Phone: +86 13818049472