FLUX 2021 - Shelby Tse

Photo of Shelby Tse

Instagram: @shelbyartss
Email: shelbyt03@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelby-tse-b00045186/
Website: https://www.shelbytse.com/

Raised in Hong Kong, Shelby Tse moved to Canada at the age of 15 by herself. Currently, she is completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo, majoring in Fine Arts and Sociology. Shelby has developed her interest in mixed-media art, specifically combining digital art with textiles. She loves exploring ideas, understanding people and society. Her practice has developed into investigating the political chaos and identity crisis in her hometown. Along with the memories of her hometown and someone who lives between cultures, she wants to offer some care and hope. Similar to how yarn intertwines, people are connected to one another.

Artist Statement

I weave yarns and make knots between the spaces of each cord. Slowly, the spaces become filled and intertwined into different forms of patterns. Weaving is traditionally seen as a home craft for women and mothers. As a transnational woman who is living between cultures after moving from Hong Kong to Canada, it is challenging to define what is “here” and “there”, and the notion of “home” between Hong Kong and Canada. The clash between two cultures has become a barrier for me, as I question my self-identity and belonging. I began to find metaphors and similarities in weaving through my transnational experiences because of the way yarn intertwines and unites to fill in spaces. It closes the gaps and distance, creating the feeling of intimacy, comfort and calmness.

Distance Intimacy is an installation that presents my attempts of intimacy and belongings in both countries. The geographical distance, in addition to the political shifts and progression that occurred in Hong Kong, involuntarily detaches people from their sense of belonging and forces them to leave only with the cultural values and memories prior to the shift. Weaving the nature of Canada’s landscape acts as a means for me to feel connected with Canada and the memories I have gained. The long process of weaving and high attention to detail presented the endeavour of closeness and intimacy of my journey to Canada. In this work, I would also like to acknowledge and express my deepest respect and gratitude for all Indigenous people, for their enduring care and protection of the lands and waterways, and for healing and preserving this place. My experience in Canada cannot be more meaningful without the lives and work of all Indigenous people.

Wall hanging of patterned knotted yarn hangs from a dowel. Blue and white lines suspend an earth tone strip from a yellow circle

"Distance Intimacy". 2021, yarn, wooden dowel, 18” x 27”

Wall hanging of patterned knotted yarn hangs from a dowel. Blue and white lines suspend an earth tone strip from a yellow circle

"Distance Intimacy". 2021, yarn, wooden dowel, 18” x 27”

Wall hanging of patterned knotted yarn hangs from a dowel. Blue and white lines suspend an earth tone strip from a yellow circle

"Distance Intimacy" (detail). 2021, yarn, wooden dowel, 18” x 27”

Wall hanging of patterned knotted yarn. Strips of blue and white hang from a yellow circle

"Distance Intimacy" (detail). 2021, yarn, wooden dowel, 18” x 27”

Wall hanging of patterned knotted yarn hangs from a dowel. Blue and white lines suspend an earth tone strip from a yellow circle
1 / 4
"Distance Intimacy". 2021, yarn, wooden dowel, 18” x 27”
Wall hanging of patterned knotted yarn hangs from a dowel. Blue and white lines suspend an earth tone strip from a yellow circle
2 / 4
"Distance Intimacy". 2021, yarn, wooden dowel, 18” x 27”
Wall hanging of patterned knotted yarn hangs from a dowel. Blue and white lines suspend an earth tone strip from a yellow circle
3 / 4
"Distance Intimacy" (detail). 2021, yarn, wooden dowel, 18” x 27”
Wall hanging of patterned knotted yarn. Strips of blue and white hang from a yellow circle
4 / 4
"Distance Intimacy" (detail). 2021, yarn, wooden dowel, 18” x 27”

Interview

What is your background?

I was born in Canada and grew up in Hong Kong until the age of 15 and moved back to Canada by myself. I have a strong background and connection with Hong Kong as my hometown. 

How have your lived experiences informed your artistic practice?  

My childhood and upbringing in Hong Kong have taken a big part in my artistic practice. Along with many incidents that happened in HK in the past few years (2021), I have been working on my art pieces to revisit my memories, relationship and worries about my hometown. My strong connection to Hong Kong is what drives me to express my art pieces recently. 

What does your work aim to say? 

My work aims to bring the sense of meditating, calmness and comfort in the political, environmental and social chaos that happened in the past few years. I hope people who look at my work can take a moment to think about how we are living and what changes we can make as I believe humans together are strong and intertwined as a whole. Race, ethnicity and geography do not separate people, as we are one. 

What is your usual artmaking process like? What are your preferred mediums?

I chose the weaving technique not only because it interested me, but also the soft and warm texture of the yarn, the action of weaving in helping meditate, the feeling of a calm and safe space, and the pixel-like pattern in weaving and the way that yarn is intertwined together like how we are as humans. All these meanings are taken into consideration in this series of works. 

What made you want to pursue art?

I have a strong passion for art, working with art excites me and I can work on my work for days and days but still get really excited. I also like how art fosters a lot of emotion and thoughts. 

What are your plans for the future? How do you see your work evolving?

My passion for art and design won’t stop and I am planning to enter a more digital spectrum of art. I am interested in 3D, UX/UI, and graphic design.