Arts Thread

The inspiration for this work comes from the dressing table at my grandmother's house where I grew up. This wooden, carved dressing table was part of my grandmother's dowry, and this year marks its 50th year with us. I began with elements from the table that represent traditional Chinese culture, such as the dragon and phoenix, to create this ceramic installation. The elements and forms of expression in the work hold deep symbolic meaning for me: the blush, the mirror frame, the dragon and phoenix, the orchids, the thorns, the sewing needle and thread, the floating, the pull...Through the connections between physical objects in the installation, I hope to open up an interactive perspective that manifests communication between intangibles that can be perceived and understood by people. This is about the invisible bonds between intangibles, encompassing concepts of thought, memory, emotion, and time. It exists within us, making us indistinguishable from one another, forming an invisible connection.

The title of this collection of work, “Five Poisons,” has been inspired by an intriguing myth in ancient Chinese culture that revolves around the five most poisonous animals. These animals, centipede, scorpion, snake, toad and gecko, have been considered symbols of death and danger. However, I have given my twist to the myth by swapping the last two animals with those that frequently appear in my father’s paintings - spider and bat. What captivated me the most was the remarkable significance that Chinese people gave to these animals. Despite their toxicity, they are believed to possess profound meaning and symbolism. This can be seen in their frequent appearance in patterns and paintings in China, as well as in the creation of jewelry design elements. There is a Chinese idiom that translates to “the law of physics dictates a rebound”. It means that, in the physical world, any action will produce an equal and opposite reaction. This principle comes from Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In Chinese culture, this idiom is often used figuratively to suggest that a person’s actions or behaviour can have unforeseen consequences or ramifications. The phenomenon of extremes reversing their course is a fascinating concept that can be observed in various aspects of life. The transformation of the representation of five poisonous animals is a prime example of this phenomenon. From being regarded as deadly and dangerous to becoming objects of admiration, these creatures have undergone a complete reversal of their status. The transformation of them from symbols of danger and negativity to objects of admiration and beauty begs the question of what is the “right” way to understand them. This shift carries a profound impact on human relationships and interactions as well, highlighting the power of perspective. Which is the reason I created this series.