Medium: earthenware
Size:3x5cm
created in 2023
Size:3x5cm
created in 2023
A Outsiders
As a child, I was discouraged from speaking Shanghaiese at school by the education authority, who instead encouraged me to speak Mandarin. This experience of being discouraged from expressing my cultural identity has been repeated in other parts of the world, such as Tokyo and London, where my appearance has led to assumptions about my cultural background, resulting in a sense of cultural disorientation. I am aware of both cultures, but not fully accepted by either.
As a child, I was discouraged from speaking Shanghaiese at school by the education authority, who instead encouraged me to speak Mandarin. This experience of being discouraged from expressing my cultural identity has been repeated in other parts of the world, such as Tokyo and London, where my appearance has led to assumptions about my cultural background, resulting in a sense of cultural disorientation. I am aware of both cultures, but not fully accepted by either.
The inspiration for this project draws from the concept of how a fish's perception of the world changes in relation to the depth in the water they find themselves. The visual experiences of a fish are affected by its depth in the water, with a more vibrant perception at the surface and a more monotonous perception at greater depths. This analogy highlights the idea that our own cultural experiences and perspectives can similarly shape our understanding of the world.
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© Copyright Zoe sijia Guo
| ︎ g.sijiazoe@gmail.com |
Medium: Wool, wires, latex bouclette
vulcanised,Acrylic
Size:3x5cm
created in 2023
vulcanised,Acrylic
Size:3x5cm
created in 2023
A Outsiders
This series explores the experiences of outsiders through a collection of artworks that incorporate various materials such as wool, wire, and yarn to convey their perspectives and struggles.
The work uses a vibrant palette, intricate patterns, and symbolic imagery to challenge the arrogant perceptions often held towards these outsiders.It employs a three-stage process to represent the different facets of being an outsider. Through this process, I hope to inspire viewers to appreciate and love the people around them for their differences.
This series explores the experiences of outsiders through a collection of artworks that incorporate various materials such as wool, wire, and yarn to convey their perspectives and struggles.
The work uses a vibrant palette, intricate patterns, and symbolic imagery to challenge the arrogant perceptions often held towards these outsiders.It employs a three-stage process to represent the different facets of being an outsider. Through this process, I hope to inspire viewers to appreciate and love the people around them for their differences.
Details:
© Copyright Zoe sijia Guo
| ︎g.sijiazoe@gmail.com |
Medium: Wool, wires, latex bouclette vulcanised
Size:3x5cm
created in 2023
Size:3x5cm
created in 2023
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© Copyright Zoe sijia Guo
| ︎g.sijiazoe@gmail.com |
Medium: Mixed Materials (Plaster, wool, expanding foam, wire, newspaper, wood)
Size:176 x 60 cm
created in 2023
Size:176 x 60 cm
created in 2023
Savage One, The One Who Runs Barefoot
The genesis of my recent work was a few old photographs sent by my estranged father. A particular photo sparked a flood of questions and uncertainties. A little girl of four, standing with my parents — was this child really me? The memory of that time in my life is hazy, like a dream, with this photograph serving as the sole tangible evidence of my past in China.
In another photo, my mother had lost all of her hair due to breast cancer treatment, and with a left arm weakened due to a mastectomy, couldn't lift heavy objects anymore. She relied on my help to carry grocery bags after shopping. These experiences, deeply personal and transformative, have shaped my understanding of strength, sacrifice, and the complexities of life, which I explore within my practice.
This explores the path towards growth. It delves into the question of how many steps one must traverse to achieve a state of self-confidence.
The story begins with my mother's courageous battle with breast cancer and the subsequent absence of my father. Following my mother's recovery from surgery, her physical limitations prevented her from lifting heavy objects. These events, combined with my relocation to Japan, fostered a profound sense of not belonging within me. These intricate layers of personal history are intricately woven into my artistic practice. The worn-out wooden ladder becomes a symbol of overcoming adversity. The characters ascending the ladder represent the resilience and strength that emerge from personal growth and self-acceptance.
Through my work, I aim to convey the emotional complexities stemming from these experiences, offering viewers a glimpse into the depths of my journey.
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© Copyright Zoe Sijia Guo
| g.sijiazoe@gmail.com |
Medium: Acrylic，Digtal etching
Size:420 x 297mm
Created in 2023
Size:420 x 297mm
Created in 2023
‘
Our own face changes’
The genesis of my recent work was a few old photographs sent by my estranged father. A particular photo sparked a flood of questions and uncertainties. A little girl of four, standing with my parents — was this child really me? The memory of that time in my life is hazy, like a dream, with this photograph serving as the sole tangible evidence of my past in China.
In another photo, my mother had lost all of her hair due to breast cancer treatment, and with a left arm weakened due to a mastectomy, couldn't lift heavy objects anymore. She relied on my help to carry grocery bags after shopping. These experiences, deeply personal and transformative, have shaped my understanding of strength, sacrifice, and the complexities of life, which I explore within my practice.
The genesis of my recent work was a few old photographs sent by my estranged father. A particular photo sparked a flood of questions and uncertainties. A little girl of four, standing with my parents — was this child really me? The memory of that time in my life is hazy, like a dream, with this photograph serving as the sole tangible evidence of my past in China.
In another photo, my mother had lost all of her hair due to breast cancer treatment, and with a left arm weakened due to a mastectomy, couldn't lift heavy objects anymore. She relied on my help to carry grocery bags after shopping. These experiences, deeply personal and transformative, have shaped my understanding of strength, sacrifice, and the complexities of life, which I explore within my practice.
I began my journey as a silent observer during my childhood, struggling with self-expression. My experiences, defined by my upbringing in China, the school's suppression of my local dialect, my mother's fight against breast cancer, and father's subsequent absence post my mother's recovery, have all shaped my understanding of my place in the world. Compounded by my mother's post-mastectomy physical limitations and my subsequent move to Japan, I grappled with feelings of dislocation and alienation. Now, I acknowledge that if I was still in China, I wouldn't be the person I am today. My process of adapting to new environments, the initial discomfort, and the eventual appreciation of beauty in these different spaces, has moulded my world view. This challenging, yet enlightening metamorphosis has afforded me a profound understanding of myself and the world around me. From my past experiences and my current circumstances, I draw strength, reflecting these deeply personal narratives into my work.
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© Copyright Zoe Sijia Guo
| g.sijiazoe@gmail.com |