Jietong Xu
Jietong Xu is Ceramics and Glass Royal College of Art (RCA) graduate. She previously earned a degree in Illustration and Visual Media from UAL LCC, where she developed a passion for integrating illustration with diverse materials. Her work focuses on transforming imagined worlds into tangible realities, using glass as her primary medium and flames as her brush.
Artist Statement:
My artwork delves into the emotional connections between individuals through the medium of glass. Inspired by the intricate dynamics within my own family, I use glass weaving techniques to bring thoughts and emotions to life. By wielding flames as my brush, I transform glass into a medium that captures the delicate yet resilient nature of human relationships. My pieces reflect the complex interplay of support and conflict, aiming to evoke empathy and introspection. Through my art, I invite viewers to reflect on their own relationships and the healing power of human connection.
Interwoven Will
Medium:Borosilicate Glass
18*15*12cm
This project explores the relationship between individuals and the collective. Using hearts as visual elements, I employ glass weaving techniques to materialise human thoughts. The inspiration comes from the complex emotional relationship between my mother and me, reflecting the subtle dynamics within a family.
Initially, this project was a form of self-expression, illustrating the love and conflict between my mother and me. However, as the project progressed, I aimed to explore broader family dynamics and depict how family members seek balance within the collective.
To deepen the concept, I studied Confucian views on family, which emphasise family ethics and collective responsibility. Additionally, I referenced Bowenian family systems theory to understand how emotional connections and interaction patterns within a family impact individual development. These theories helped me grasp and convey the dynamic relationships within a family.
In the artwork, hearts are used as symbols, representing the core of life and emotion. Each piece consists of 1 to 3 hearts, forming spherical objects through different weaving methods. Ultimately, these small pieces come together to form a series, providing a direct comparison between the collective and the individual.
Through the interweaving of these glass hearts, I hope viewers can feel the emotional support and conflicts in family relationships and the process of finding self-identity within the collective.
Reconstructed Fragments
Medium:Borosilicate Glass
40*50*30cm
“Reconstructed Fragments” is a project that explores the emotional connections between human individuals. The inspiration came from a trip where I saw real human bones damaged by disease or injury. These damaged bones triggered my thoughts on human emotional resonance.
Research shows that the mirror neuron system in the human brain generates empathetic responses when we see others in pain. The development of empathy relies not only on biological foundations but also on familial, social, and cultural influences. Collective memory is held by a group and preserved and transmitted through cultural traditions and social interactions. Within this framework, individual memories are formed and sustained.
By repairing damaged glass skulls, I hope to symbolise the healing and reconstruction of past traumas, visually recreating the recovery and regeneration of individuals within the collective. The act of repairing these damages is akin to deconstruction and reconstruction, allowing viewers to gain new understanding and connections as they engage with the artwork.
This project aims to establish a form of communication without words. Through this silent dialogue, I hope viewers can find emotional resonance and connection in my works.
As the saying goes, “Make time for civilisation, for civilisation won’t make time.”
