乖(guāi )

乖(guāi) 2,Dec 2024

Printed image, brown paper, chalks, color markers, tyre oil

56 x 74cm

乖 is a mixed media work created using printed images, brown paper, chalks, color markers, and tyre oil. At the center of the composition is the symbol of a chair, representing the authoritative command often given to children in traditional Chinese households, to sit still, be quiet, and behave.

The title 乖 does not have a direct translation in English, which emphasizes the cultural specificity of the concept. It refers not just to obedience, but also to a deeply ingrained expectation of compliance, often imposed on children without room for questioning. The absence of an English equivalent reflects the unique psychological and emotional nuances found within Chinese-style education.

Surrounding the chair are numerous drawn eyes, signifying the constant surveillance and scrutiny from adults. Children, under these watchful gazes, grow up with limited space for personal exploration, rebellion, or discovery. This work critically examines the experience of growing up within the structure of Chinese early childhood education, drawing from the artist’s own memories and emotional reflections.