ARTIST BLOG
July, 2010
Acorn Dreaming
W.Jie, 'Rooftop Dreamer', 2010
Looking back on my experience of living in Melbourne, it was a Soul searching journey which healed many wounds. Emotional scars from the past are usually deeply buried and take longer to heal than physical wounds. The rebuilding and scaffolding of a church steeple was the view outside my Brunswick apartment which was fitting to my experience of building foundations to restructure a new life. From being away from family and friends, the expectations of who I should be, was not imposed. So I was liberated to listen to my own inner voice of who I truly wanted to be. The Art series 'Metamorphosis' was essentially about my Soul searching experience and the rebirth of a new 'Woman'.
Finding inner peace, have led me back Home to Sydney. I feel much more settled here and enjoying the rewards of finally deciding to plant roots towards a brighter future or the expression 'Acorn Dreaming', the planting of future Dreams.
July, 2010
Weaving Stories
Amidst my research on Social Globalisation imbalances and Cultural Identity politics, I have reached a point to use factual research as a ground basis but will now focus on facts I come across from Everyday Life.
Focusing on the quest to find the 'Universal Drumbeat' which connects different existences to find common Human desires and 'Celebration of Life'. I will be collecting stories from Everyday People to find out about their Cultural heritage and inner Hopes and Desires.
" We all strive to achieve our hopes, desires and dreams amidst everyday trappings "
From photographing and interviewing a collection of people I meet. The collective process will enlighten my idea of finding a way to unite all Cultures by finding a common vision of Humanity. I would also like to represent the 'Unseen' identities of these beautiful people that are not represented in Mass Media.
All these stories wil be woven into a Human Symphony, engaging Art and Music to express Humanity's voice.
Hopefully the work will inspire People to engage in Life and find inner peace within their own Identity.
June, 2010
Soul Mate Drummer
During one of my recent research on the history of Cultural Musical instruments, I came across an instrument called the 'damaru' which features spiritual symbolism that is rich in Ancient Cultural beliefs. The hour glass shaped drum is fashioned out of the human cranium ( Yes, seems gory... but it symbolises the Human body as the origin of all musical instruments). The two skulls, one half female and the other male are infused to bond as inverted triangles. It is believed that the point where they meet symbolises a Union of two Souls forming a Gateway to a Transcendent Reality. This idea struck a chord within my belief of people searching for their elusive Soul mates and once they finally unite from their once seperate paths, they will reach their Mystical Destiny.
The skulls are covered with monkey skins that are stitched into place by human hair. Attached to the pair of drums are whirling balls made of a waterbird's foot bone that is encased in wax and cloth. These tiny balls attached to an end of a string, will beat the drums as the instrument is twisted and spun into rhythm.
The use of materials from the Human body and Animal Bones links the Human and Animal as Equal Natural World Elements. It is believed that the Sounds that Man expresses using the 'damaru' embraces the mystical and harmonious vision of the World.
Researching the history of Ancient Cultural musical instruments, reinforces beliefs of transcendence of Music as a leap into the 'Unknown' and as a vechile to reach another State of Reality. Which has continued today in Modern traditions with hypnotic drumbeats in Electronic music or all types of Musical Genres which grounds its roots from a simple drumbeat, which originally was a way to simulate and express the beating of the 'Human Heart'.
I hope to share many more interesting research as they will give insight to my Art process and to give better understanding of the origin of my imagery.
As for my Soundscape, I have made a work in progress called 'Altered States', which is influenced from Ancient Tribal Music Rituals, the moments when hypnotic drum beats induce people into trance-like states. I am planning to have a future collaboration with a musical partner/Soul mate which will infuse our Music into One Mystical Destiny.
June, 2010
Mood Board #1
"Observing Life and searching for the Universal Drumbeat which unites us All ......."
I am currently at the Early stages of starting a new Art series. The Art Project aims to bridge gaps between Cultural Differences, Human and Nature, Imbalances of Globalisation by finding harmony between 'Oppositional Forces'.
Films commenting on Global Culture, set to film scores have inspired me with their Social Commentary on Diversity and the Evolution of Cultural traditions. The human symphony is observed through different existences woven together into one film.