Zidi Gong

About

Zidi Gong is a contemporary artist, utilises a diverse array of materials including Ceramics, Jewellery, and Glass to explore the relationship between human society and the natural world. Her work is inspired by daily life and the intricate dynamics between humans and nature, focusing on our roles within it and our impact on it. In Zidi’s view: ‘Under the subjective lens through which humanity views nature, there often lies a conflict and opposition between nature in its essence and our perception of it — beautiful/ugly, cute/cruel… These contradictions invariably permeate human society, giving rise to new societal issues.

Cute or Cruel?

Porcelain, Stoneware Porcelain, Blown Glass, Wood

“Cute or Cruel?” explores the dichotomy between nature’s essence and human perception. Focusing on species with unique evolutionary defences: Pufferfish, Porcupine, and Armadillo. These animals employ strategies like inflation, quill projection, and curling into a ball for self-preservation. While humans often perceive these behaviours as ‘cute,’ this perception masks the underlying fear and struggle for survival, turning these traits into sources of fascination and targets for hunting.

Using various ceramic handbuilding techniques, I represent these species, deconstructing and recomposing their defensive postures to create textures and perforations. The resulting pieces appear complete yet fragmented and hollow. Displayed on a triangular table that resembles both an altar and a dining table, the shape reflects the pyramid of anthropocentrism, placing humans at the top. However, by positioning viewers at the table’s center, they are forced to observe the creatures from an equal perspective, challenging human authority.

I aim for the audience to transcend conventional aesthetics and recognise the ethical distinction between ‘cuteness’ and ‘cruelty,’ advocating for the equal right of all species to exist on Earth.