Elephant in the Safe?

Curatorial Introduction

Being exposed to the pervasive influx of emotional triggers in social media content and toxic relationships, we use up empathy, sincerity, and kindness. Social expectations expect us to react perfectly to these stimuli; chronic high pressures ultimately exhaust us. Hence, it becomes vital to establish physical and mental boundaries against unpredictable infiltrations to recover energy. Inspired by how Carl Jung hid a wooden manikin in the attic during childhood to maintain a sense of safety when he faced nightmares and arguments between parents, the exhibition invites audiences to imagine their personal ‘protective object’ by referencing selected artworks as potential modes of self-care.

It is important to note that hiding the ‘protective object’ does not encourage avoidance but helps to reduce fluctuating over-reactions. With stable emotions, we have more capacity to confront or block disrespectful behaviours, intrusive interactions, and oppressive situations. Once we feel ready, we can open up to people we trust and possibly establish beneficial and profound relationships.

Correspondingly, we invite each artist to put their ‘protective object’ into safe boxes before the exhibition. Artists can choose to reveal it to the public or not, even if they do not have it in the safe box or put a deceitful object in it. This emphasises that we have the right to protect and open ourselves to the extent we are comfortable with.

Try to imagine for a moment: What would be your protective object? An elephant? Where would you keep it? The safe?

Artists

Szu-Yu Chen, Nayeon Han, Yunjie Huang, Mathijs Hunfeld, Cameron Jarvie, Li Xin Li, Qinyang Li, Yucen Liu,  Xiangning Lu, Youjin Seo, Yuanhui Wang.

Curator

Tim C Huang

Co-curator

Shuhan Chen

Special thanks to Yanyi Chen, Yeneul Kim, Chenyao Chen, Chaerin Lee, Mila Fernandez, Raina Jung

Private View

5–8pm, Tuesday 2 July