Unit 2 Artist Statement

In this Unit, I keep exploring the idea extended from Unit 1. I was interested in the power and aroma of plants and looking for ways to present and reappear them visually. During the working process few problems with the exhibition and making works arise which make me have to rethink the project I should focus on. After the two exhibitions held last year, I slightly adjust the topic for the current project. I am now more willing to find out the reasons that cause the problems that happened during the shows and feedback from the audience.
I was passionate about using real fragrance for exhibition as I assume this will make the audience get the feeling more directly. However, I wasn’t cautious enough in choosing and designing the formula which make some of the people who visit my work feel uncomfortable. Due to this reason, I temperately stop using real fragrances for exhibitions that facing the public. I try to find what forms this situation, and during the research process, I realize that it might be a good idea to use this experience as a starting point for next project. Why would the audience feel uncomfortable? Is it because of the allergies? Was the fragrance too strong, something went wrong during the perfume-making process? Or maybe the smell reminds people of some bad memories or experiences that they couldn’t accept. It is interesting to me to explore the possible reasons.
Therefore, after a series of research about the question mentioned above. I made groups of works investigating experiences of both physiological and psychological allergies by looking at others’ descriptions of pain and inconveniences caused and also combine with my own experiences. I turn them into drawings and installation work. Using red, white and black colours to represent elements that form the phenomenon. I want to deliver messages about how painful it would be when contact with something that you don’t like through my works. And hope people can understand that kind of feeling when looking at my work.