"A Conversation with Self" (2024)
This photograph, captured by You Liang, originates from the performance piece Heal Me, which delves into an intimate exploration of my relationship with my body through the medium of clay. Created during a period of convalescence, the work captures a moment of self-reflection and healing, as the clay becomes both a tactile connection and a metaphor for transformation. A Conversation with Self invites viewers to witness the nuanced dialogue between body and material, reflecting on the themes of recovery, self-acceptance, and resilience.
"MY MOTHER IS MUD" (2023)
My Mother is Mud is a sculptural installation created on Tyninghame Beach, featuring a handmade stoneware vesse.l Both a physical and symbolic representation of being held and supported. Positioned at the edge of a cliff, I sit within the vessel, allowing the North Sea’s unforgiving waters to wash over and gradually fill the sculpture. This juxtaposition of vulnerability and resilience reflects the complex duality of femininity—its fragility intertwined with an unyielding strength and power.
The piece invites reflection on what it means to be held by the earth, to find support amidst forces of nature that are both nurturing and relentless. Rooted in the raw beauty of its environment, My Mother is Mud speaks to the profound connection between body, earth, and sea, offering a meditation on the precarious yet powerful balance of existence.
"IIV" (2024)
This photographic collage captures the surreal and often isolating experience of battling chronic pain, exploring the sense of an out-of-body journey imposed by persistent physical suffering. Through layered imagery, IIV conveys the disconnect between body and self, highlighting the resilience required to endure.
"Sticks and Stones" (2021)
This sculptural photography piece examines the metaphorical armor women must develop to navigate the challenges of life. Highlighting the emotional and psychological defences that women cultivate in order to thrive.
"MILK BATH MONDAYS" (2021)
"Milk Bath Mondays" is a photographic exploration of the complexities of womanhood, examining the unrealistic expectations imposed on women by societal standards. Through the serene yet symbolic setting of a milk bath, this work delves into the nuanced pressures surrounding femininity, beauty, and conformity.
"MOON CALENDAR" (2020)
"Moon Calendar" explores the intriguing theory that ice can absorb and retain energy, including the fluctuating lunar energy throughout the moon’s cycle. This piece visually captures the relationship between natural elements and celestial forces, suggesting that ice may hold not only our personal energy but also that of the moon at different phases. Evoking a sense of cosmic connection, "Moon Calendar" invites viewers to reflect on the unseen exchanges between nature, the universe, and ourselves.
"Speak Your Truth" (2020)
Using photography collage to reflect on the historical and ongoing silencing of women’s voices. Through layered imagery and contrasting elements, the piece evokes themes of resilience, defiance, and the urgent need for expression. Central to the work is the use of my own face and a handmade wire wearable sculpture, symbolizing both the constraints placed on women and the strength required to transcend them. Celebrating the courage of women who continue to break through barriers of silence, challenging societal norms and reclaiming their voice.