Belonging

This artwork, created during the pandemic, holds a deeply personal significance for me. Returning from Australia to China, I spent three months living with my grandmother, an experience that fostered a profound sense of belonging to my homeland. This piece serves as an exploration of the elusive concept of belonging.

In this artwork, I place the cradle I slept in as a child within an outdoor setting in my hometown, inviting viewers to contemplate its significance. Why the cradle? What does it symbolize? These are the questions I hope to evoke in the audience. The cradle, laden with memories of my childhood, becomes a stage upon which my identity unfolds.

Through this symbolic object, I encapsulate my journey of self-discovery and introspection, inviting viewers to reflect on their own sense of belonging. As they engage with the artwork, I aim to challenge the notion that identity is a static, one-dimensional concept. Instead, I encourage viewers to recognize the fluidity and complexity of identity, shaped by personal experiences and connections to time and place.

Ultimately, this artwork serves as a testament to the power of introspection and self-exploration in understanding one's place in the world. By prompting viewers to question and probe the layers of meaning embedded within the cradle, I hope to foster a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of human identity.