Hello.
I’m Meanz Ming Chan
陳明敏 (she/they).
Meanz (“Mints”) Ming Chan 陳明敏 is an Interdisciplinary artist based in Des Moines, Iowa of the Chinese diaspora. Their work spans from tattooing to digital illustration, photography, graphic design and whatever else she can get her hands on. They explore themes of isolation, nostalgia, miscommunication, fear, mental illness and personal identity in their work. She utilizes her art-making to process trauma, document growth and to heal.
She spends most of her days with her partner (JB), dog (Bruce), 5 cats (Archie, Arnold, Jeff, Min and Marvin), and bearded dragon (Zeke), watching films/anime, taking care of plants, drawing, making music playlists, and eating delicious food.
Projects:
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Iowa (no longer active)
Women and Non-Binary People of Color (WNPOC) Iowa (no longer active)
Frequent collaborators:
John Hennessey Baker
Who I’ve worked with:
Andre Davis
Art Terrarium
DSM Abolition Lending Library
DSM BLM
DSM Mutual Aid
Deft
Des Moines Art Center
Des Moines Music Coalition
Des Moines Public Art Foundation
EMBARC
Hadiza
HCI Services: Art of Compassion
Iowa Environmental Council
Iowa Public Radio
Katie Sin
Lily DeTaye
Mitchell Squire
On Pitch
Pink Neighbor
Station 1
Seeds 50314
(The) Supply Hive
Young Women’s Resource Center
Awarded Grants:
Gtwy Fund
Currently:
Freelance Interdisciplinary Artist (photo, design, illustration) *for hire*
Resident Tattoo Artist at Jade Rabbit (Opening June 2023)
Past Exhibitions/Projects:
Who We Are: The Art of Identity
Polk Heritage Gallery / Des Moines, Iowa / May 2022 - June 2022
Art of Compassion Site Specific Installation
The Hall / HCI Services / Des Moines, Iowa / August 2018 – October 2018
Nasty Boys Collaborative Show
Mars Cafe / Des Moines, Iowa / July 2018
“Cicadas on a Bright Blue Sky” City Sounds Piano
80/35, etc. / Des Moines, Iowa, Spring 2017
Panic Art! Collaborative Show
The Lift / Des Moines, Iowa / April 2017
The Well-Read Woman Collaborative Show
Young Woman’s Resource Center / Des Moines, Iowa / March 2017
“Transformative” Mural (3 Cicadas)
RoCa / Des Moines, Iowa / June 2016
80/35 Cat Cafe and Art Show
Des Moines Social Club / Des Moines, Iowa / June 2016
The DSM Girl Gang Takeover Group Show
Marlene’s at Sevastopol Station / Des Moines, Iowa / June 2016
Sticks Artists Group Show
Sticks Gallery / Des Moines, Iowa / June 2016
Pedal Art Group Show
Viaduct Gallery / Des Moines, Iowa / May 2016
Self-Portrait Group Show
Sacred Diamond / Des Moines, Iowa / May 2016
Spring Group Show
Hill Vintage & Knits / Des Moines, Iowa / March 2016
Collaborative Cat Show
Hill Vintage & Knits / Des Moines, Iowa / February 2016
Lady’s Work Pop-Up Group Show
Chapman House / Des Moines, Iowa / November 2015
DSM Girl Gang Group Show
Hill Vintage & Knits / Des Moines, Iowa / October 2015
Pedal Art Group Show
Viaduct Gallery / Des Moines, Iowa / May 2015
Proximity Group Show
The Anderson Gallery / Des Moines, Iowa / April 2013
Des Moines RAW: Ensemble Group Show
Wooly’s / Des Moines, Iowa / September 2012
Talks/Classes:
Girls Rock! Camp DIY Photography / Franklin Jr. High / Des Moines, Iowa / July 2019
AIGA’s Get A Job Bootcamp (panel of professionals / portfolio reviewer) / DMACC / Ankeny, Iowa / April 2017
AIGA Iowa Inspiration Hour / Des Moines Social Club / Des Moines, Iowa / October 2015