Materials Show

The Potential Charm of Materials

When humans were created by the Creator, they were endowed with different wisdom, appearances, languages, personalities, traits, and human nature. These qualities cannot be measured as good or bad; it should be said that they simply exist without judgments of good or bad. They are creations, and certain elements in the world are scarce, evolving through “accidental” occurrences, making them unique masterpieces of the Creator. And when these diverse qualities come into contact with one another, they undergo a secondary creation, resulting in physiological and psychological chemical reactions, possibly leading to mutual attraction or repulsion.

 
If we view materials from a human perspective, they may be seen as having the same allure and potential as all the elements bestowed upon humans. They possess qualities of the unknown, possibility, creativity, randomness, and complexity. So why don’t we, as creators in the realm of materials, try to create contexts and elements that are distinct from others?

Artistic Traces - Charcoal

The charcoal we commonly use for drawing in our daily lives usually comes from willow and vine. They are respectively made from branches of willow trees and parts of grapevines. These charcoals are produced by slowly heating the wood under anaerobic conditions until it reaches a precise hardness. As these charcoals contain no binding agents, they can be easily erased, making them ideal for sketching compositions on canvas before painting. Willow and vine charcoal are typically very soft and powdery, which makes them less suitable for rendering fine, detailed images. Willow charcoal tends to have fewer fractures compared to vine charcoal but also produces a lighter shade than vine charcoal.

 

The university I attend is located between the mountains and the sea, where various tree species and plants can be found everywhere. Different plants possess distinct hardness, scents, textures, and uses. Therefore, I have taken the initiative to collect tree branches and create different charcoal pencils through self-made methods, which has become an interesting material and artistic practice for me.



Artistic Traces - Cyanotype

How can we visualize abstract time and human memory while preserving personal uniqueness and emotions? I believe Cyanotype might be the most fitting artistic medium for this expression. Cyanotype is a process that involves ultraviolet light exposure and chemical reactions to create changes. Through printing or painting, we can preserve our thoughts and concepts in this way, capturing aspects of memory, ideas, and emotions.

As for visualizing abstract time, the varying exposure of Cyanotype to ultraviolet light results in gradients of different depths and shades. This serves as a metaphor for the passage of time and how it can be captured.
 
Cyanotype offers a unique way to combine the abstract and the tangible, where time and memory intertwine with personal expression. It becomes a visual representation of our thoughts and emotions, captured in the subtle shifts and nuances of Cyanotype.

 

Artistic Traces - Handmade Paper

During university, I started to investigate and make handmade paper. This is because I read a book called ”Start With Why”, and I began to think about how materials relate to my personal experience and stories. Handmade paper becomes a malleable medium to combine other materials, such as natural ingredients, which can endow the materials with further meanings and context. These papers with various kinds of materials and textures could be used for further artistic practices, graphic design, product experiments.

embroidery and sewing

Painting is often used as a form of interpretation to express emotions and memories, especially those that leave a deep impression or carry profound significance. However, is there a more suitable or precise method of interpretation than painting? In 2018, while in Cappadocia, Turkey, I found inspiration from the art of carpet weaving. Turkish carpets can be broadly categorized into two types: early Turkish carpets adorned with geometric patterns and natural depictions, and classical Ottoman carpets adorned with floral motifs and emblematic symbols. Both forms serve as carriers and preservers of history and memories. The interwoven technique of carpets provides remarkable durability and longevity, which, for me, aligns with the metaphor of preserving memories.
 
During my graduation project, materials I used were “embroidery and sewing,” which allowed me to explore the connection and intertwining of senses. This technique offered an apt way to convey the concept of memories lingering in the fabric of time.
 

Different media converge, much like hidden wisdom, expressions, languages, personalities, traits, and human nature. They make us complete and uniquely individual.