• At the beginning of this project, I originally planned to conduct some experiments using real plants. I even planted an avocado seed for this, but I couldn't bear to change its shape as originally planned. I literally couldn't twist plants into strange shapes just for the purpose of artistic creation. Now it has grown very lush.

What KIND of clay and what's the differences?

• Because I didn't have much time, I directly consulted my friends who study sculpture. I described my needs: I want to make a sculpture of about 20x30x25, using clay materials that can dry quickly, be colored, and have a certain load-bearing capacity. They recommended me plastic clay.

• These artists are trying to present some viewpoints to people from the perspective of animals or plants

  
  

Any STYLE or VISUAL ELEMENT?

• Realistic, decorative, retro, gorgeous, elegant, strange

(As you can see, after this session, I chose the direction with Asian culture because I feel confident that I understand this culture and knows what I really mean by that.)

I chose to make a figure that measures approximately 30x20x25cm because it was the size of bonsai I see in my daily life. This size is easy to match with the pot and base, and also has a decorative effect.

Colour

I have been torn between the color of plants and the color of the human body, but I believe that the color of humans and the color of blood can make the audience more empathetic about the pain of plants, so I chose the latter.

Shape

I have learned that in sculpture art, there is a concept of outer and inner contours, and this expression surpasses complex but non primary designs. So I reduced the decorations on the main body and added an inner contour - I designed the chest of the humanoid to be open, like a tree hole.

Other materials selection(pot, pebbles, tinfoil, cable,etc)

I tested two types of sealing coatings. I originally wanted to use a matte coating because I was worried that the bright light would look too much like a ceramic doll, but I found that the effect seen in the lens was much weaker than the naked eye, so the matte coating was almost non-existent in the lens. So in the end, we chose a glossy coating.

• I wanted to make the audience think about the meaning of bonsai from a different perspective. The looks humans consider beuatiful atually mean small branches cut off, twisted trunks with wire, and limited space to restrict growth.

The connection built with the audiences?

• Typical bonsai are plants appreciated by humans, but my work aims to have the characters switch and humans act as the 'bonsai character' being admired. As a human audience, this should resonate more with the work.

What reflection I EXPECT from them.

• In fact, I don't want people to give up potted plants or gardening, but I hope to share some of my doubts and feelings with more people, stimulate more thinking, and treat life beyond human beings with caution.

• If given the opportunity, I would be happy to try more delicate and textured pigments such as color powder and watercolor. I think they are often used to express the radiance and texture of the skin.

• Posture

• Skin textile

• Scars

• Clothing

• Faces

• Due to excessive reliance on post production photo editing, I believe that I lacked consideration in the exhibition of this work. Because it is the theme of bonsai, my ideal way of showcasing it is to place it outdoors and blend into the garden like a real plant for viewing.

• The disadvantage of doing so is that the biological elements are not well reflected in the material. So perhaps in terms of improvement, I can add some dead animal or plant limbs, or naturally shed body parts (such as feathers, cicada molts, dried leaves, seeds etc.)

I want to apply for illustration related majors in UAL and RCA using this project, so I asked some mentors for their opinions.

The advice I received regarding the major I am applying for and my future career plan is to have a three-dimensional installation that reflects my hands-on ability, and preferably has similarities in style with other works, reflecting my personal characteristics. Encourage me to use this material as it is relevant to my other works - about humans and nature, about the forms of life, and about moral exploration.