Developing my first ever solo Exhibition

The difference between art and commerce can feel so huge at times, and often we can be caught in just fulfilling the brief and creating work that commercially viable and what the client wants. But in that, we lose expression and a sense of self and communication of our own stories. 

When I was given an opportunity to create a solo show in 2023, I knew that I wanted to explore themes that I was playing with for the past year. Themes of belonging, my dual Asian Australian identity and my feelings of confusion because of the pandemic. I really grappled with the lack of Asian representation in Australian media and I wanted my story to be seen on a gallery’s walls. So I managed to do it! I made pieces that I really enjoyed and I like the journey of combining my two cultures (Asian and Australian) through textiles and imagery. 

It was such a journey to move out of the headspace of making art for money. But instead making  personal and vulnerable art. What was most difficult was part was expressing my ideas and making things that I felt, no one else would understand. Was I really doing the right thing by putting myself out there in such a raw way? 

Here are three thoughts that helped me in the process: 

1-When you’re scared about what you’re making, then you know you’re making the right thing. 

This was a huge step for me. I felt so uncomfortable sharing my thoughts at all! It was a combination of working as a commercial designer for so long and trying to talk about things that felt so close to who I am as a person But that was the thing. The more scary it felt, the more I needed to express it. And in the end, I was okay. The fear of shame or rejection was really there, but when I showed up for myself, I found I felt so empowered. It was also so helpful to have friends who I could run ideas past and be vulnerable with! Art is meant to help us understand parts of ourselves, and the curiosity we feel can provide healing and love to those confusing and messy parts.

2-The more personal you can be with your art, the more likely you’re going to connect with people. 

That was something that I found really interesting. The fact that art closest to our own experiences can connect with others so deeply. I had some people at the opening tell me they felt really seen in the art and they really appreciated that the work was speaking to their experience as well. This I found so startling because, while I hoped to do this, I didn’t really think that people would relate to the art that I felt was so personal to me! It was eye opening to know that things that are important to you will connect you to others. 

3-There can be difference between craft and ideas.

Creating the pieces, some of them I felt weren’t as strongly executed as I would have liked! But I had to be okay with it, cause I really was about expressing the idea. But on top of that, it was okay for me to step back and be curious about exploration for the future. What other ways could I have expressed the idea? Are there better mediums? I think it was a great experience for me to re-discover a sense of play with my artwork and see the value of ideas over perfect execution. 

Those are some take aways from my experience. And I truly hope that I get another opportunity to do another exhibition. The theme of my Asian/Australian identity was really important to me to express, and I am so grateful I got to play with the theme and understand myself more through the process of making art.

If you have something on your heart, make art.
Your story is so important to be shared. 

Thanks!

Vess

Photography: Valerie Bong