Artwork title : Quilt of Memories

170cm x 160cm

Ceramic, decal, lace

Quilt of Memories draws inspiration from the Chinese cultural tradition of "Bai Jia Bei."  People use a patchwork technique to encase fabrics from various households into a quilt, symbolizing the collective blessings bestowed upon newborns. In this work, the "fabric" used for the patchwork consists of photos taken by my grandfather. He took these photos by smartphone and shared them on social media. The content is mostly about ordinary moments like a blooming flower or everyday meals. I deliberately refrain from adjusting the composition, embracing the natural blur caused by his trembling hands during the capture. This departure from professional photography results in a simple and unpretentious texture, while it also reminds me that the digital age has already advanced much faster than elders in the family. Within these photos, I find a candid sharing that forms a genuine connection to the familial memories, especially crucial for me as I establish roots in a foreign country. Like being tucked under a warm quilt, the traces of my loved ones living well serve as blessings and protection. These precious photos are permanently printed on ceramics, ensuring that the memories remain immortal. After the firing in the kiln, these digital photos turned to yellowish just like they stayed in reality for years.