jennie
cui



She/Her

Graphic Designer, Sculptor                                      
realism, parody, chromatic, cuteness


 

My works for the living:room include two clay sculptures and a process video. Both sculptures were made with clay, steel rods, epoxy, Bondo, airbrush paint, and silk, and the video was filmed on a Sony a6000. The sculptures are self-portraits rendered in a cartoon-like style, inspired by Nézhā, a Chinese mythical god I strongly identified with as a child. My younger self felt a connection to him, however, over time that familiarity has faded. Through these pieces, I reconnect with that part of myself and look back at the memories tied to my childhood.

The process began with researching Nézhā’s representations in media and history. I created sketches and clay maquettes to refine the sculpture’s compositions, balance, and proportions before constructing the larger sculptures out of clay. Starting with creating limbs, I focused on blocking out the general shapes and then refining the details using my hands and tools to achieve the body proportion I wanted. For the body, I used a coil technique, utilizing wood blocks and cargo tie-down straps to help lend support as I built the sculpture up. After everything was attached and refined, I hollowed the sculpture, refined the details again, and cut the sculptures into pieces sent into the kiln. Once out of the kiln, I reattached the pieces into one, sanded down unsmooth areas, and painted and sewed fabric cloth for both sculptures.

To me, the living room is more than just a space – it is a memory, a connection to a former identity. It recalls childhood memories where I sat for hours on the couch and was absorbed in the cartoons that inspired these works. By replacing Nézhā’s traditional weapons with modern technology, I connect the mythological figure to a more modern living room and my current self. This project explores who I was, and my cultural background, and pays tribute to my childhood, inviting viewers to reflect on their memories, culture, and the spaces or rooms that shaped them.





Previous Works

 
MHC
Art & Design Program – MHC

We would like to acknowledge the support of sponsors, including: 

Contact Info
livingroomartdesign@gmail.com
403.529.3959
Address
399 College Ave SE
Medicine Hat, AB - Canada
T1A 3Y6
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