US

Having grown up shifting between places and cultures, I’ve often witnessed people being pushed to adapt and survive in different societal structures. In every new environment, I observed the same pattern: young individuals caught in an endless loop of striving — overworked, emotionally drained, and silently competing to keep up. This recurring phenomenon compelled me to create this piece.
The word “卷” (juǎn), literally meaning “to roll” or “curl,” is used metaphorically in Chinese to describe this cycle of relentless hustle. In Chinese characters, the visual form often mimics the essence or gesture of what it represents. This is mirrored in my oil painting, where all the figures appear curled, cramped, and densely packed. The composition gathers collective perspectives, representing the overwhelming experience of moving in unison without pause.
In moments when we wake up from this cycle, we see how we are “there but not there,” a body adrift in a sea of others, emotionally and mentally untethered. I chose needle felt as the medium for my sculpture because of its soft, internal nature—fibers bound not by force, but through repeated, gentle piercing. This material represents how isolation can feel safe and intentional, a comfort zone we construct to protect ourselves even as it quietly distances us from others.
Together, the painting and sculpture form a dialogue—between the collective and the solitary, the external pressure and internal retreat—offering a visual reflection of modern burnout and emotional disconnection.