Presented in TAM’s Gallery TWO, October 7 - December 2, 2023, “IN CASE OF EMERGENCY” is an installation of ceramic objects, that creates a unique world to reexamine the world in which we live in. Featuring representational and abstract objects used as symbols to create a narrative, as well as the use of scale to distort perspectives. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY creates a fantasy world, in relation to the reality we are all facing, as if we are in a dream unable to awake as the earth shakes us, desperate to get our attention.
The Torrance Art Museum will be hosting an in-person reception, from 6-9 pm Saturday October 7th, celebrating the museum's two fall exhibitions.
EXHIBITION PHOTOS
Artist Statement:
“Throughout my artistic career, I have been deeply fascinated by the intricate connections between environment, culture, and society, and their profound impact on individuals both internally and externally. As an artist, I feel a strong responsibility to shed light on the powerful cultural, political, and socio-economic forces that shape identities and determine the trajectory of people's lives.
One of the most pressing issues that affects every living being on this planet is climate change. In my latest body of work, I have chosen to focus on the worsening effects of climate change on underprivileged communities. I seek to create art that embodies the struggles faced by those living on the lower end of the social class, raising awareness of the hardships they endure on a daily basis.
In this installation, I explore the physical and mental toll climate change takes on humanity, the environment, and animal life. Through large-scale ceramic objects inspired by melting glaciers and rising sea levels caused by global warming, I aim to depict the urgency of this crisis. The abstract forms serve as symbols that narrate the story of the impact of climate change on underprivileged coastal communities. Trash and pollution, which lead to the death of coral reefs and fish vital to the livelihoods and sustenance of these communities, are represented in my work, highlighting the devastating consequences of human actions.
Moreover, I delve into the lack of government assistance and the inaccessibility faced by individuals from underprivileged communities. The inaccessibility of resources needed for rebuilding after natural disasters strike. Inadequate insurance coverage and exorbitant costs add to their burdens, making it even more challenging to recover and rebuild their lives after calamities. The feeling of isolation and helplessness experienced by these people is a profound and often overlooked aspect of the climate crisis. Through my art, I aim to bring attention to these injustices and provoke reflection on our collective responsibility to address them.
In constructing this installation, I have built a world of fantasy intertwined with the reality we all confront. Through representational and abstract elements, I distort perspectives to evoke a dreamlike state, symbolizing the inertia or complacency that has hindered adequate responses to climate change. It is as if we are trapped in a prolonged dream, with the earth shaking us in desperation to awaken to the urgency of the situation.
In "In Case of Emergency," I strive to confront viewers with the visceral emotions experienced by those on the front lines of climate change. My aim is to spark a deep empathy and understanding that transcends borders, social classes, and political beliefs. Ultimately, I hope this installation prompts conversations and collective actions toward a sustainable, just, and equitable future for all, as we face the realities of climate change and its profound impact on underprivileged communities.”