Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

5-2022

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M.F.A.

Department

Fine Arts

Degree Program

Studio Art and Design, MFA

Committee Chair

Lai, Delin

Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)

Chan, Ying Kit

Committee Member

Chan, Ying Kit

Committee Member

Carothers, Mary

Committee Member

Ma, Yuxin

Committee Member

Gibson, John

Author's Keywords

Butterfly; zuangzi; empathy; inner world; art; painting

Abstract

My works mainly show my perception of life and my change of thought. The world is full of changes, and the pandemic has disrupted our lives. Many people, including me, are confused about the world. Philosophy and my observation and thinking about the world helped me to have a clearer understanding of the world. My paintings Licia, Butterfly Woman, and Live with Covid reflect my understanding of German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer's theory of empathy. Within my art, I also use another German Philosopher Theodor W. Adorno's theory of the culture industry to deepen my understanding of some social phenomena. My 3D installation Kill a Butterfly is my awakening to social control and resistance to the assimilation of thought. Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi's thoughts helped me to establish a complete self-system and to reflect on the relationship between my true self and society. The Butterfly dream series officially represents this aspect of my understanding.

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