A manifesto
2022
The word “Vase” in Chinese culture signifies both an object and a woman seen as “just a pretty face”. This series of image explorations, paired with a manifesto, questions patriarchal judgements on femininity, challenging the values imposed on women and the symbolic vase. By focusing on the soft power that is inherent in vase’s formal language - a combination of openness and embrace, the artist seeks to dissolve the mix of desire, disdain, and envy projected onto women, inviting a thoughtful dialogue on the concept of ‘vase’ in modern society.
To hold, not to touch.
I am colder than you think, she is heavier than you think, we are harder than you think.
To understand, not to smell.
No imaginary fragrance in your favor.
To listen, not to hear.
A deep, long roaring is all you come across.
To taste, not to lick.
Bitter, dusty, teeth broken, cannot continue.
Do you dare to face us, without your imagination?
You are looking at me, I can feel it.
Delicate, fragile, decorative, superficial
You put me in those categories.
Fragility is not a sin, you know,
The qualities that you condemn,
are the ones I use to smash your fake face.
What your selfishness pretend to ignore,
Is my open arms up high.
The potentials that they carry,
Cross your boundaries gently but firmly.
Some benevolent suggestions from us the vase here,
Do not make judgement by imagination, boundaries are made to separate.
Embrace, like what we do, not walk away in disdain.
We embrace, not like you who draw the line, categorising our values.
The paradigms that you set, we are crushing it with an embrace, in our own form.
Scared, aren’t you,
we are not conforming, we value our own form.