Hongxi Li
About
Hongxi Li explores human behaviour and societal structures through sculpture and performance, focusing on corporate influence, power dynamics, and emotional discomfort. Her work integrates symbols of capitalism and uses humour—manifested in inefficiencies and repetitions—to explore these themes. Ultimately, her art examines the shared experience of being an individual within a broader social system. With this exploration, she seeks to challenge the viewer to think about their own position in society.
Li’s perspective as an East Asian woman living in the West shapes her art, merging Chinese identity with the migrant experience to reflect a sense of “in-betweenness.”
To achieve her vision of the concept, she explores new techniques and materials across a variety of mediums. Her sculptures are often made of metalwork, ceramics, and upholstery, blending outdated industrial aesthetics with contemporary minimalism. This fusion creates a timeless quality that connects tradition with innovation. Often resembling everyday objects like chairs and desks, her sculptures invite viewers to reassess the familiar and explore the intersections of art and design, considering how design history reflects societal change.
In her performances, Li embodies Jolene, a character dressed in corporate attire with a restrictive hairstyle, symbolising a constrained lifestyle. Jolene’s versatile appearance allows her to fit various professional roles, from headmistress to receptionist.
Instagram: @sassyli
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