Critical Reflection
During the initial phase of creating my sculpture, I intentionally abandoned any reliance on logic or rational thought processes, choosing instead to allow the piece to develop unconsciously and be guided by my subjective motivations. This meant refraining from conducting any research in the pre-creation stage, as I wished to remain uninfluenced by outside ideas or theories. Essentially, the process was akin to an experiment, with the final sculpture serving as a portal into my own subconscious beliefs and desires. In this way, the act of creating the sculpture became a form of self-psychoanalysis through art therapy, enabling me to access and clarify repressed impulses before safely integrating them into my conscious awareness.

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(Performance)
Li Jiaxing
March - April 2023
Woolen yarn & Ceramic

No title
Li Jiaxing
2023
oil painting
In this sense, my sculpture can be seen as a manifestation of my own subconscious, and I can't help but feel that the profusion of red in my pieces is tied to my skin condition. As I observed the relentless encroachment of red ringworm on my body, I felt my consciousness slipping into a crimson vortex, and I felt as if I was drowning in red. Yet, rather than shying away from this overwhelming hue, I chose to embrace it fully in my art. In doing so, I found a way to confront and express the inner turmoil that had been brewing within me. In psychology, the color red is often associated with strong emotions such as passion, anger, and desire. From a theological perspective, red embodies notions of divine vitality, energy, and passion. Red can also be symbolic of danger or warning, as well as physicality and the body. Through my sculptures, I have been able to externalize my subconscious impulses, and in turn, understand them better. The red that once felt suffocating now serves as a bridge between my subconscious and conscious selves, allowing me to explore and process the complexities of my being.
The influence of Cthulhu , ancient gods and religious iconography on my own subconscious are also evident. The use of chaotic and sometimes grotesque imagery is a nod to the dark, primal forces that underlie human existence, echoing the themes of cosmic horror and existential dread found in Lovecraftian literature. Yet, unlike the nihilistic worldview of Lovecraft's universe, my sculptures offer a more positive, redemptive message. Through the exploration of the subconscious and the dissolution of the ego, viewers are invited into a religious pilgrimage created by my subconscious, which connects to connect with a deeper sense of spiritual truth, one that transcends the limitations of the human ego and connects us to something larger and more profound.

Giotto di Bondone
(1267 – January 8, 1337)
FRESCOS DE LA CAPILLA SCROVEGNI de Padua (1303-1306).

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Li Jiaxing
March - April 2023
Woolen yarn & Ceramic

Giotto di Bondone