I was experimenting with home-based practices because of the situation of the 2020 coronavirus. As the virus spread widely this spring, all the campuses in the UK have been closed. I had to move my practicing space out of school and trying to make art at my apartment in London.
The change of working space has huge influences both on my mind and working methods. When the city was ticking along normally, we will receive the stimulus from the outside without intension, that is where the ideas come from. Due to the isolation, I started to broaden the channel to gather information proactively, and I was trying to using new media and approaches to make works.
The crystallization of the blue dyestuff
Tye-dyeing craft
By learning the tie-dye technique, I got new inspirations of the work in terms of materials and measures.
The fabric needed to bind with a rigorous and delicate structure before we apply the pigments on it. The process of coloring is full of freedom, and the outcome was beyond my expectation: at that moment I can tell that the beauty lies between control and indulgence, the conscious and the unconscious. I think the bonded fabric roll shows a kind of beauty which related to geometry and architectural construction, the spiral structure defines the path paint can take, just like a mystery cosmic truth. But no one would know what the final look would be until the last moment. It was a fascinating practice, by making art people would feel a larger universe around them.
Color paints
My first graffiti
London is such a unique city that it can perfectly combine the elegant and wild. My apartment located in the Southwark area, where a place that street art grew really well. There are lots of amazing graffiti park sitting around, and those eye-catching patterns will always attract my attention. Because of coronavirus, there are fewer people on the street now, I think it is the perfect time for me to have a try.
Although schools and public places have been closed due to the outbreak, I wanted to try as many new things as possible when I feel safe. One of the things I love about London is that it's so inclusive and full of possibilities.
People always asked me, why do I always try something with such a wide range of styles, and the things I've done seem like no connections with each other. In my point of view, the most important thing is to DO, in the process of output, we will step closer to the real self. Only by creating I can gain inner peace.
I will always remember that Geraint once told me, "You have a whole life to do it. (art)" so why should I reject the chance? Enjoy every moment and keep doing art.