JIAYU LIAING
BA Fine Art Drawing, Camberwell
People’s Favourite Items, 2024
Mixed media
I asked a few people who lived in London for their favourite items in their current residence, I then made those items into cotton toys and sold them. Selling people’s favourite items in their accommodation for 10 pounds, the mismatch between labour and income is like the gap between ideals and reality. Accommodation is a concept close to home, but what makes a home? Those toys are a tangible manifestation of the tenants’ found memories and private lives and are sold cheaply on the market. The beautiful, pink, utopian shop was constructing a refuge, hiding the reality.
As a Chinese artist now living in London, my interest in housing is deeply rooted in the cultural belief that a home requires a house. Upon moving to London last September, I was struck by the high costs of rent and utilities, realising that housing affordability is a collective rather than a personal issue. Many students, including myself, made huge compromises to manage housing costs. I tried to escape the tough renting problem by discussing private details and interests, blending personal desires with societal issues in housing.
Artist Bio
My art develops through the connection of people, and there is no clear identification of the artist and the viewer. I always imagine utopian futures in children’s minds, and the beautiful colours are the best expression of that.