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This essay focuses on works made between 2011 and 2017 which discuss the tension between my Christian faith and adolescent sexual desires, as well as my self-identification as queer. Adopting psychoanalysis as a tool, I explored the manifestations of my subconscious in dreams and represented my inner workings using religious icons, surrealism and micro-pop art to establish the source of shame via projections through the characters in these artworks. As I underwent this mode of confession and repentance, I also journeyed through a process of self-reflection.
Chapter One, the Introduction, shares my research motive, methodology, and content of my work. Chapter Two, Origins, discusses the doctrines of Christianity, sexual instincts and queer identity, and also insight I garnered from studies of the interpretation of dreams respectively, to illustrate the inspiration I drew from these three elements in order to fuel my creations. Chapter Three, the Meeting of Faith and Lust, first compares and analyzes the work of several artists to identify the direction and form that my own work would take. Next, this chapter discusses the concept behind the series of works I made during undergraduate period. Last but not least is a study of Hou Chun-Ming's creative works and approaches on how he connects art and sexual desires through ritualistic modes of expression to portray intimate passions. The title of Chapter Four, What did I do that makes Angels angry?, is the theme of my solo exhibition in March 2017. This chapter shares the concept behind the works presented in my graduation showcase, which condensed and reinterpreted the journey I have taken over these eight years, with my inner workings represented by angels and their voices. Finally, in Chapter Five, the Conclusion, an affective approach is adopted to provide an overall analysis of my work to sum up the key points discussed above.
This paper is a comprehensive report of my creative journey. Besides expressing the conflicts between society and I, the artwork allowed me to reinforce my self-identity and strengthen my sense of belonging to the queer community. "Loneliness" is the essence of my creations. It is my hope that viewers would experience a sense of loneliness as they interact with my art, which in turn awakens a sense of empathy in them to show compassion to the frangibility in the world. I also wish that viewers would perceive the pain that God bestowed upon us as a most wonderful gift, and continue to spread the gospel.
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