Vivian Bai

Dinner table To symbolize the challenges of family conflict and the gradual breakdown that often occurs, I created a drawing of a seemingly ordinary dinner table. However, upon closer inspection, the table is depicted as tilting over, the husband clenches his fist tightly, and the wife is portrayed as struggling with alcoholism. Additionally, subtle details such as the food and wallpaper suggest the loss of a baby and hint at the overall breakdown of the family unit.

Memories at the lake This artwork portrays a familiar scene akin to the sentiment of “seeing objects and recalling people.” A young girl revisits her childhood surroundings, gazing at the serene lake, reminiscing about fishing with her departed loved ones. Occasionally, returning to places where memories of those who have passed away linger can evoke nostalgic recollections, facilitating a deeper remembrance of the shared moments and experiences with them.

Being towards death The depiction of the woman’s body merging into the natural environment conveys the idea that everyone eventually dies, and becomes part of nature again. Do not fear death, for it is simply a natural part of life. We are all part of nature before birth, and death is merely a return to nature once again.

Flash Back The sense of loss, sadness, and loneliness often manifests in fleeting moments in life. This painting depicts a man sitting on the subway heading home at night, reflecting through the lonely reflection on the window on the little memories of riding the same train with his loved one in the past.

Space This painting depicts the story of an astronaut searching for another person in space, but it symbolizes the imagined space of reuniting with a loved one. After experiencing the departure of loved ones, people often imagine scenes of reunion with them, which also becomes a method of self-healing for them.

Brain malfunction Many therapists working with people with grief would compare their head to an overloaded computer with too many web pages open, people having all kinds of mixed emotions mixed and so many new changes to adapt. And the way to treat this would be closing the tabs one by one; deal with one thing at a time.

Life’s Clock This painting portrays an elderly person reflecting on the life journey shared with their offspring, witnessing their birth, growth, aging, and departure. I attempted to liken human life to a clock, inevitably reaching its end one day, underscoring the importance of cherishing each day within the limited time we have.

Museum wall This painting displays a series of memories that people have of their loved ones, showcased on a wall. When people lose their loved ones, the memories they have left become incredibly precious over time. Therefore, the sentiment with which people cherish these important memories is akin to preserving precious paintings in a museum, carefully and meticulously protected behind fences at all times.

Farewell