MLitt Fine Art Practice School of Fine Art
Yiran Zhou
As an artist and a student, she has long held a deep interest in the philosophical concepts of dualism and existentialism. These philosophical ideas have driven her to continually reflect on the nature of life and explore the boundaries between life and death. In her view, life and death are not merely physical processes but profound transformations on a spiritual and psychological level. Her works consistently revolve around these themes, seeking to express her thoughts on the human condition and the inner world through art.
Her creations mainly take the form of paintings and sculptures, depicting figurative imagery and rich details. This figurative approach allows viewers to directly grasp the emotions and ideas conveyed in her pieces, while also communicating deeper spiritual experiences and reflections on existence, death, and the soul. She hopes that her works will inspire viewers to contemplate the nature of existence, the inner self, and their relationship with death.
Her art is filled with traditional Chinese elements, which not only pay tribute to her cultural background but also serve as a means to explore the dialogue between ancient wisdom and contemporary philosophy. By combining traditional symbols with modern philosophical thought, she strives to create works that possess both cultural depth and the ability to provoke thought in modern audiences. In her works, traditional elements are given new meanings, becoming part of a broader exploration of the human inner spiritual world.
Amulet
A shield for ghosts, placed at the entrance to Wonderland. Its function is to prevent the entry of all dangers that endanger the existence of ghosts.
This protective amulet symbolizes the reconciliation and coexistence between humans and spirits. It functions as a sacred barrier, preventing any malicious or destructive objects from entering the realm of the spirits. Beyond safeguarding the spirits, it reflects a deeper contemplation of the nature of existence. The talisman suggests an understanding and respect for the boundaries between life and death, striving to ensure the spirits’ tranquility through non-violent means. This protection is not merely physical but also a spiritual expression, embodying humanity’s reverence and care for the unknown and the invisible. It represents the possibility of establishing a new order of existence through peaceful means.
In Buddhism, the boundary between life and death is seen as part of the process of reincarnation. According to Buddhist teachings, life is a process of continuous reincarnation, and death and death are just different stages in this process. Respecting and understanding death means recognizing the interconnectedness of life and death and accepting the nature of impermanence. Through practice and ascension of wisdom, individuals can transcend the fear of death and thus achieve inner peace and liberation.
Ghost Spirit
Albert Camus discusses the absurdity of life, the human search for meaning in an essentially meaningless world.
Through figurative works of art, the heads of ghosts reflect reflections on the choices and limitations that the soul faces within the boundaries of life and death. The Brat hat is a profound exploration of existence, meaning, death and ethics. Through the form of art, it embodies existentialism’s concern for individual freedom, choice and responsibility, while responding to the absurdity of life. It can be a protection, an escape, a magic weapon, it can represent every choice in life and death.
Wonderland
In Ghost Wonderland, it can be understood as a space that recognizes this separation of soul and body in dualism, providing a world in which those souls who have passed away continue to exist. This idea ghosts that death is not an end, but a transition, where the soul moves into another state of being and finds peace or new meaning in this new world.
At the same time, ghosts, as lost or forgotten souls, symbolize the state of individuals searching for a place to belong in the wider world. Wonderland provides a safe haven for these ghosts, a space that is not only a physical place to settle but also a spiritual comfort and belonging. By creating this world, we explore an important problem in existentialism: how individuals find their own meaning and place in an indifferent world.
