ALISON LAM The Paradox of Choice, 2022

ceramics, wood, fabric 52 x 90 x 41 cm

My artwork explores a phenomenon known as the paradox of choice, where a plethora of options causes overwhelm for the decision-maker. Although we may believe many options makes it easier to choose one that we are happy with, it ironically requires more effort and often still leads to dissatisfaction. This artwork was inspired by a photograph I took in Vienna of a dozen shelves displaying 135 different flavours of jam. Taken aback by my own feelings of anxiety associated with choice and perfectionism, I use ceramic jars to express how something so rudimentary can evoke feelings of chaos and uncertainty.