Being an immigrant _ Flamingo
Story behind the work _
The object tent was given with the introduction to a topic “home” and to start up I set the definition of home as space that I felt comfortable and safe in, a shelter. Which in my life was never something constant since I always had to fly over to different countries. I was always an immigrant to the place. I conceptualised myself as a flamingo, a bird that migrates, just like I did.
The transformation of tent into a flamingo began by camouflaging the patterns of flamingo feathers I recreated with series of painting on to the tent. I mimicked the structure of the bird’s feather system to attach individual feather models constructing a space, where from inside, was almost like being embraced by the wings of flamingo. The warm colours and gradual layering generated tender and comforting atmosphere.
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Title | Bosom (Embrace) | Size : 53 x 52 cm (each)
With the exploration of shapes and features of the tent, the concept of ‘birds’ gradually overlapped to the whole idea of the process of viewing crane (inhabits in Asia) as local citizens and flamingos as immigrants (in Hong Kong). It led me to a conceptualisation of presenting myself as a flamingo. The painting for 2D construction was developed into a triptych. Painting, image transfer and layers of tissue papers were overlaid in different orders and angles. It was flattened with printing roller each time. The overlaying technique generates tender and comforting movements by introducing a new idea, care and maternal affection.