Yim Yen Sum (b.1987)
An artist’s sensitivity towards her culture is felt in her choice of material. I constantly find myself employing the use of soft and malleable materials in my works, as they can be easily shaped and manipulated. I have tried to draw out the main themes by using materials like these, whose characteristic property is to protect and shield, because to me, this is a metaphor of care.
In the process of using a needle and thread that shuttles back and forth, two things that were once individuals are joined or united. This is akin to individuals who form relationship with one another, giving new meanings to their lives, and affecting the people around them. These materials are not just objects to me; they are a part of my life and the experiences that make me who I am – formed from my imagination. I like repeating small units of artworks in a large format, because whole structures such as these allow us to feel the process of life, making us want to get closer to it.