Sculpture: Paper on Paper.

This piece was created as a dialogue on violence between state and citizens. Paper mobiles usually relax and delight, they are tranquil and unobtrusive - but this is a relationship between state and citizen that is far from relaxing. The mobile is made of commonplace materials - paper, metal, string and glue - because violence is now commonplace, no longer exceptional, no longer rare.

In the middle - the citizens, hemmed in, unable to move freely. Around the outside, dark figures twist and turn, weapons aimed indiscriminately, changing direction with the slightest movement of air.

When violence is no longer exceptional, every instance begets more violence. When the consequences of violence are unequal - loss of freedom and injury on one side and congratulations and reward on another, inaction becomes intolerable.

Violence isn’t normal. It shouldn’t be normal.

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My paper mobiles started as a way to relax during the political and social unrest in Hong Kong. My studio is situated in a flashpoint district and in recent moths the smell of teargas is often in the air as it has been used almost daily from September to December 2020. From one of the safest cities in the world to a place of uncertainty and trauma where the population is held at ransom to the whims of a government that refuses to engage. We spend our days deep cleaning to get toxic teargas out of our living and working spaces and we spend our evenings listening to the wail of sirens.

Sitting and staring at a mobile is a very soothing action. The slightest breath of wind moves the pieces and sends them twisting and turning. I have been making and staring at the mobiles in hopes that they will bring piece of mind.