Vivian Qiu
You Touched My Life
9 - 20 October 2024
G4
Opening Night
Friday 11 October | 6 - 8pm
◼︎
Your legacy is every life you've touched." — Maya Angelou
You Touched My Life is a solo exhibition that documents jewellery artist Vivian Qiu’s life journey from May 2023 to the present in a tangible form (the Life Line Braid) and through a documentary film that tells the story behind the braid.
The Life Line Braid captures artist Vivian Qiu’s feelings and body sensations, documenting her journey since May 2023. The braiding practice is a simple yet powerful way of processing her journey through grief, relationship changes, and personal growth. People have influenced her life in meaningful ways, and she hopes that the story conveyed in the braid can resonate with and influence yours.
The act of braiding is one aspect of Vivian’s practice, exploring slow-making and meditative processes. She uses her creative journey to embrace vulnerability and navigate complex emotions.
The beauty of the Life Line Braid lies in its non-goal-driven nature; she can’t plan what she wants to achieve in 10 years. It requires taking one step at a time. This may contradict the fast-paced society where people often seek to speed up their lives in pursuit of achievements. Sometimes, while braiding, she may not fully understand what she is experiencing. It may take two years or even ten years for her to look back at the braid and grasp the reasons behind difficult life situations. The braid serves as a personal journal, helping her process complex feelings.
The documentary film shares the life journey and story of an artist. It invites viewers to reflect, find solace, and process their personal experiences. Please take your time to watch this video; hopefully, it will offer you some insights.
Artist Bio
Vivian Qiu is an emerging artist whose background in jewellery and fashion informs her innovative approach to wearable art and sculpture. Her practice explores cultural identity, healing and oracle bone script - the most ancient Chinese language used for future prediction. Drawing on her diverse living experiences across different countries, she delves into her roots and personal identity through unique material research, creating culturally significant pieces from rice, grass, and soil.
Vivian is particularly intrigued by the intersection of art, psychology, and personal transformation. She uses her creative process to embrace life's challenges and navigate complex emotions, inviting audiences to engage in introspection and potentially reframe their narratives.
Her work has gained international recognition, with exhibitions in Australia, Sweden, and the Netherlands. She has exhibited in distinguished galleries, including Galerie Marzee in the Netherlands and RMIT Design Hub Gallery in Melbourne. She was a finalist in the Emerging Artist Awards at FortyFiveDownstairs Gallery in 2023. Vivian has also contributed her talents as an artist-in-residence at various high schools, supported by Regional Arts Victoria and Creative Victoria.
Additionally, she has also collaborated with galleries, museums and organisations to deliver interactive workshops, such as National Gallery of Victoria, Signal, City of Melbourne, Immigration Museum, RMIT First Site Gallery and Geelong Wool Museum. Vivian’s projects have also been presented as part of Melbourne Fashion Festival and Melbourne Design Week in both 2021 and 2023.
Collaborator:
Ashish Narwade is a visionary filmmaker who transforms ideas into captivating visual masterpieces. With a keen eye for storytelling, Ashish masterfully directs, edits, and produces films that entertain, enlighten, and inspire. His collaborative approach brings distinct narratives to life, seamlessly blending artistic vision with creative expression. Through partnerships, he showcases a harmonious fusion of talent and imagination, presenting works with depth and elegance. Driven by passion and creativity, Ashish continues to engage audiences, inviting them to explore and connect through compelling visual art.
Contact
Phone : (03) 9482 3550
mail@redgallery.com.au
Address
157 St Georges Rd
Fitzroy North, Victoria, 3068
Map
How to get here
Tram: Route 11
Stop 21 just north of Edinburgh Gardens
Melway Ref: 30B12
Parking in nearby streets
Bus: 504 (Reid Street)
