ARTIST STATEMENT
My piece, a dedication to my grandmother, expresses a critical and firsthand interpretation of visual impairment. Having partially lost her vision, she is considered by everyone as disabled. While at times she does require an extra pair of eyes, she is capable of being self-sufficient; she can care for her own basic needs and live independently.
Her ability to overcome the loss of humanity’s most-relied on sense of perception, leads to my conclusion that being visually weakened, for some, is not necessarily a “disability.”
I aim to express this process of loss and gain.
A double-sided greyscale portrait of my sighted grandmother reading a parchment, hangs from the ceiling in the middle of a room. Once on the opposite side, one stands before the same subject matter. Expecting to view the portrait, however, what is seen is a blur, where forms lose clear outlines and merge with shadows.
What precisely do these blurred forms symbolize? Although knowing the exact depiction, they visually cannot comprehend. At this step along their visual journey, the viewer, much like my grandmother, understands what is being observed but is unable to experience it’s precise physical form. This inability provides a sense of frustration.
Away from the canvas, a lone parchment placed on a stand echoes the one depicted. Written in Mandarin, it is a direct transcript of my grandmother’s perception of her experience. At its side is a rough translation. From the title Blindness, it clearly concerns the perception of life while being unable to see. Notably, strikethrough was used on all words pertaining to vision.
I wished to illustrate that upon removing these terms, the text could signify any other condition, be it physical or psychological, that restricts what one can do. This final step in my project and their journey, symbolizes the mentality of those who have embraced their blindness, who no longer see it as a disability. Rather it is seen with positive connotation, a source of empowerment; hence why, the parchment the subject is reading within the painting, was left purposely pure white.
Her ability to overcome the loss of humanity’s most-relied on sense of perception, leads to my conclusion that being visually weakened, for some, is not necessarily a “disability.”
I aim to express this process of loss and gain.
A double-sided greyscale portrait of my sighted grandmother reading a parchment, hangs from the ceiling in the middle of a room. Once on the opposite side, one stands before the same subject matter. Expecting to view the portrait, however, what is seen is a blur, where forms lose clear outlines and merge with shadows.
What precisely do these blurred forms symbolize? Although knowing the exact depiction, they visually cannot comprehend. At this step along their visual journey, the viewer, much like my grandmother, understands what is being observed but is unable to experience it’s precise physical form. This inability provides a sense of frustration.
Away from the canvas, a lone parchment placed on a stand echoes the one depicted. Written in Mandarin, it is a direct transcript of my grandmother’s perception of her experience. At its side is a rough translation. From the title Blindness, it clearly concerns the perception of life while being unable to see. Notably, strikethrough was used on all words pertaining to vision.
I wished to illustrate that upon removing these terms, the text could signify any other condition, be it physical or psychological, that restricts what one can do. This final step in my project and their journey, symbolizes the mentality of those who have embraced their blindness, who no longer see it as a disability. Rather it is seen with positive connotation, a source of empowerment; hence why, the parchment the subject is reading within the painting, was left purposely pure white.
Alterations towards the major project.
I did not have access to the wood needed for the frames. Instead, I had to attach a pole at the top in order to hang it. The method used, resulted in a structure similar to a chinese scroll. Additionally, I did not add frosted glass spray paint to the back of the painting, as with the new location of exposition that part cannot be seen.
Direct passage from my grandmother
Translation of the passage
Blindness
I was a high school teacher. Behind the podium is where I have given countless courses to students for 40 years. Upon seeing their smiling faces in class and their spirited freedom when exploring the spring field, an immense joy bloomed within me. However, once I retired, my eyesight worsened - my right eye developed glaucoma. Despite surgery, I still lost complete vision. My left eye sees only blurs and shadows.
I fell into a pit of despair.
I fail to remember how many bruises covered my body from hitting door knobs, nor how I managed to visit the doctor on my own; I recall only the sadness. Gradually, I lost the path I walked and the essence of who I was before. Often, I asked myself: why must I continue to live in such a state?
Then, I thought of Helen Keller, whom I have used while teaching, as a role-model who overcomes hardships and never gives up. While I, who lost my vision at the age 73 was given the opportunity to see my students and children grow - compared to her, was I not blessed with luck?
I felt that I no longer had the right to surrender myself to the darkness. Thus, I gathered my courage to familiarize myself to this new condition and currently, I am able to live a somewhat normal life as an individual.
Now, I have come to believe that no matter what mountain you may face, with a heart filled with bravery, you conquer it and discover the light of life.
I fell into a pit of despair.
I fail to remember how many bruises covered my body from hitting door knobs, nor how I managed to visit the doctor on my own; I recall only the sadness. Gradually, I lost the path I walked and the essence of who I was before. Often, I asked myself: why must I continue to live in such a state?
Then, I thought of Helen Keller, whom I have used while teaching, as a role-model who overcomes hardships and never gives up. While I, who lost my vision at the age 73 was given the opportunity to see my students and children grow - compared to her, was I not blessed with luck?
I felt that I no longer had the right to surrender myself to the darkness. Thus, I gathered my courage to familiarize myself to this new condition and currently, I am able to live a somewhat normal life as an individual.
Now, I have come to believe that no matter what mountain you may face, with a heart filled with bravery, you conquer it and discover the light of life.
-Miao Yu