Shannah Bupp was born in California and is currently studying at UCLA. She previously studied at Pasadena City College (2009) and Otis College of Art and Design (2006). She lives and works in Los Angeles.
Bupp's distinctive style of dark figurative paintings is influenced by Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele and is an exploration of structures, both physical and psychological, nature and people. Through the projection of herself onto mostly male or sexless subjects, Bupp's work explores the concept of gender. Using oil, watercolour, ink and block prints, Bupp explores the possibilities of an androgynous existence in a world divided by the sexes. The artist examines social constructs and invites us to question what would happen if society rejected the concept of gender. Her subjects retain a child-like quality and, to an extent, the works represent a time before gender roles are deeply entrenched.
Bupp has exhibited in Los Angeles at The Annex (2010), Café Mariposa (2008), Infusion Gallery (2007) and at PCC Art Gallery in Pasadena (2008).