Intro | Background 2 | Breathe 2 | Manchester | Propositions 2 3 4 | References | Results 2 | Inquiries | Notes

Context: Breathe

The Chinese Arts Centre’s Breathe Residency is “a three-month opportunity to provide an artist the time and space to contemplate their practice.”

The residency came at an opportune time in my development. I identified a few reasons for pushing my practice further after exhibiting several new works last year.

I became aware of the risk of mannerism: I didn’t want to become known as “the light artist.” Light installations are gratifying to make, but they can easily become too populist, popular and easy.

The metaphors in the work became increasingly complex. For example, Binary Pair attempted to draw parallels between binary star systems, black holes and the interdependence of optimism and pessimism, as well as the end of the American century. I’m interested in making works that embody an idea, an wanted to steer away from heavy symbolism.

Last year was also a tumultuous year, and my artwork and attitudes changed. My ambivalence between optimism and pessimism shifted towards uncertainty. I became more pessimistic, but I’d rather be an optimist.