Ning Jiang

Cactus is a symbol of myself.

I was initially influenced by the symbol of the cactus which has represented the isolated feelings I i have towards my own culture after the experience of studying aboard for 8 years. During the COVID period, I went back to China and had experienced culture conflict towards Chinese traditional culture. When my surroundings have been changed, my works have also been changed. The cactus highlights the concept of multiculturalism (C.W. Watson). We all experienced globalization and the topic of self-identity which could be explored sensitively in the art world. 

The concept of objects and subjects have also been recognized in this series of paintings. As the human emotions alter the form of objects, the form of the cactus becomes more imaginative and exaggerated. I used two different sets of colour - the bright blue and the warm red or yellow to represent the conflict. The colour conflict represents the clash of two different cultures but also the inward feeling of myself. 

In my process, I experimented with collage using all sorts of different materials. For example, I apply denim cloth contrasts with the paper and the tapes. Then, I start to remove the canvas from the stretchers. Instead of the canvas, I have also experimented with stretching the cloth and the plastic packaging directly onto the stretchers. The stretcher itself could be considered symbolically as a part of the structure of the cactus. The plastic bubble package with its unique texture lets me relate to the cactus flesh. I used the acrylic spray mixed with the oil paint onto the plastic bubble package. I applied the original colour of the cloth as a type of paint and mixed it with other colour.