Throughout my artistic processes I work steadfastly to ensure that the outcomes

which I produce are full embodiments of me and my cultural and social identity and I
feel that this generates the richness and depth that design work should possess. My
finer approach to design, through my conceptual knowledge and use of contextual
theory, lends itself well to the distinctive work that I aspire to create and continue to
produce. A strong expression of personal belief is evident in my work and shapes my
processes and ideas- My experience of Anti Austerity and Socialist gatherings
encouraged me to capture the movement of the people and the harmony of the
crowd, studying the procession closely and layering sketches of impulsive people
and stagnant landmarks, emulating the eagerness of the cause and the energy of
the march; my grasp of drawing and image manipulation spearheading my ability to
work towards success in the digital and print aspect of the course at Leeds Arts
University. In both self-directed study and structured tasks, I feel that my devotion to
research and planning is ever present and acts as a catalyst for thought provocation.
The text work in my portfolio is based on the idea of destructive behaviour, more
finitely ‘Guilty Pleasures’. I wanted to explore the boundaries of ignominy and how
far people would be willing to ‘air their dirty linen’- I researched Neon art, exploring
artists like Emin and Petra Collins and experimenting with the idea of both text as art
as well as an oxymoronic display of a glaring medium with something we may want
to keep to ourselves. I found that people were more willing to open up when
anonymous therefore my intentional use of neon with black existed to mimic society's
idea of taboo and shame and the way that our socio-cultural background may affect
what we perceive as ‘destructive’ and ‘inappropriate’ behaviour. I continue to explore
the idea of social constructs and how our societal position may affect the way we act;
this awareness of the world around me communicated through design would lend
well to the Material Concepts strand of the course.
My experience in art and design pushes me to consider the significance of all
aspects of the working process and being part of your course would expand my
boundaries hugely, encouraging me to move from my comfort zone into something
exciting and new. My investigation of the significance of colour in Chinese culture
allowed me to broaden my understanding of colour use as a vehicle to convey
certain messages, rather than solely for aesthetic purposes. I found that the more in
depth I studied colour symbolism, the more thoughtful my artistic process became;
this subscription to specific colour profiles marrying my work as one and allowing me
to tell a story through the work that I was creating. My exposure to culture during my
visit to Beijing, Shanghai and Xian magnified this awareness- the immersive
experience enlightening a passion for colour and its powerful capabilities.