In my artistic practice, I explore the multifaceted meanings of “home,” delving into the complex interplay of culture, identity, and emotion through playful and teasing forms. Growing up in China while being deeply influenced by American pop culture and now living in Europe, I have developed a multi-perspective view of what “home” truly means. Through psychoanalysis, I’ve come to understand the roots of my emotions and how these cultural imprints shape my psychological journey of living abroad.
In my work, I write poems using parallelism and repetition, layering words to echo the homogenization and accumulation found in potato chips and the industrialized city itself. My intention is to use humor and irony to reveal the seemingly trivial yet profound aspects of life. I incorporate inexpensive materials like potato chip cans and Lego blocks as symbols to explore the tension between collectivism and individualism in modern society. Additionally, I experiment with materials like coal, a staple from my hometown, and cigar ash to create spontaneous paintings, making these elements integral to my personal narrative. Alongside these visual elements, I write or adapt poems that draw inspiration from my experiences. The discomfort I feel in London, contrasted with the nostalgia for the convenience of life in China, has driven me to reflect more deeply on the concepts of “home” and belonging.
My work is not merely a critique of material life. Instead, I strive to find noble images within the mundane, aiming to bring people closer in a lighthearted way while redefining the relationship between home and self.
In essence, I am fascinated by exploring what the elite education I received from a young age should signify in different contexts, especially amidst the collision of Chinese and Western cultures. The tension and fusion between East and West have led me to rethink the values and perspectives instilled in me, as well as to redefine my sense of home. Through my artistic exploration, I seek to reveal the challenges of identity and cultural belonging in modern society.