Jayci Yau
The theme that I have chosen to explore in my IB Visual Arts journey and exhibition is the interconnectedness of organic and inorganic matter. My time at Sevenoaks has enabled me to experiment with unfamiliar media, which quickly became favourites. This exploration strengthened the relationship between processes and outcomes, allowing material experimentation to directly influence conceptual development.
Having always been drawn to the diverse textures present in my surroundings, I chose texture as my main visual language through which to represent objects and environments. I explored the relationship between man and nature through this, examining the contrast between synthetic and raw textures found in everyday life, their coexistence in harmony, and their distinct differences, such as the juxtaposition of geometric shapes with organic forms.
Photography became an essential method for documenting texture and place, functioning as a form of a textural travel diary that captured the identities of different environments I encountered. By using photographic processes, such as translating photographs to solar plates, I transformed and abstracted textures from the various places I have visited. This eventually led to my‘ breakthrough’ – the printing of these solar plates onto corrugated cardboard, which combined and united natural and synthetic textures to create something new and visually interesting. This became the foundation of my creations, enabling me to develop a cohesive body of work. Each piece connects through shared processes, materials and concepts, reflecting my ongoing exploration of texture, place and the relationship between manmade and natural environments, utilising both organic and inorganic matter.