Rao Song

Visual Artist｜Interdisciplinary Communicator｜Cross-culture Connector

Rao is a visual artist with an interdisciplinary background spanning theatre arts, environmental science, and cultural communication. Born in Beijing and having lived in Sydney and New York, his work reflects a deep engagement with cross-cultural exchange and a distinctive approach to visual storytelling. Rao’s creative practice draws from both academic inquiry and field experience—from serving as a strategic communications contributor for the UN-affiliated NGO Hecho Por Nosotros, to exhibiting his personal art projects in cities across Europe and the United States. He is also a member of SanTuoQi Theatre, with over 100 performances in both China and internationally.

Education

  • Pratt Institute, Graduate Center for Planning & the Environment, New York
    M.S. in Environment and Sustainable Systems, 2021

  • LIM College, New York
    MPS in Fashion Marketing, 2019

  • National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, Beijing
    B.A. in Stage and Television Directing, 2008

Honors & Recognition

  • Member Artist of the New York City Artist Alliance, sponsored by the NYFA and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs 

  • Media & Communications Officer, Pratt Institute GCPE 

  • Recipient of the GCPE Merit Scholarship, Pratt Institute

  • Named by WGSN Insight as a nominee for Social Media Voices in Sustainable Influence

Exhibitions

  • He/She/They, group show, Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, New York (2022)

  • Unbounded, group show, The Plaxall Gallery, Long Island City, New York (2022)

  • Welcome Back, group show, Maggie Peyton Gallery, Manhattan Borough President’s Office, NYC (2021)

  • Epiphany, online group show, Centro Cultural Madrid, Spain (2021)

  • Another Year’s Vision, solo show, Chelsea Market Street Lab, New York (2021)

  • Resonance, online group show, Holy Art Gallery, London (2021)

  • Lane Crawford Creative Callout, group show, Lane Crawford, Chengdu (2020)

Media Coverage

  • VOGUE China – “Cool Kids” 

  • Nylon China – “The Split Personality of Rao Rao: Not Me, Not Just Me” 

  • Uth – “His Graduation Photo Says It All” 

  • iFASHIONist, Modern Media – “Sometimes I Really Just Want to Cover My Face” 

  • iFASHIONist, Modern Media – “Cloning, Parody, Performance: Is This Okay?” 

  • Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art Magazine – “Raohost” Feature Interview 

  • LOHAS Magazine – “600 Masks: The Story of Rao Song”