Xiaowei Hua

Statement

My B.F.A Thesis collection comments on how social expectations and peer pressure can force us into unnecessary self-evaluation. In the collection, jewelry pieces deal with identity under the pressure and expectation of society and they are expanding from my personal aspect to a general and broader perspective.

About Declined
“Declined” brooch reflects the main idea of WHOOSIS in a financial perspective. Whether people are financially comfortable or not, it is common that purchasing luxury items to “show off” in order to gain acceptance from others. The money people have in their bank account (in form of credit card) not only reflects their social status, but also is a reflection of individual’s value that is forced upon them by societal expectation and pressure.
The silver chip and black credit card highlight one's social status and values that he/ she wants others to see and to know. However, the word "DECLINED" at back of the brooch reveals the reality. When people flip it over to see the back side of the brooch, "DECLINED" is hidden here, which underlines the differences between what a person is willing to show to the public and what he/she wants to conceal.
This piece also offers wears with different credit cards. People can change and set different expired plastic credit card on top of the silver part by drilling five holes. The handmade silver screws and nuts at four corners are helping wearers tighten the credit card up.

About Expired-2022
"The Value of Women Declines Progressively After Age 25". This is a universal phenomenon that happens in China and also in other countries. People care more about women's age than men's especially when they are applying for a job and starting a new relationship or getting married. The brooch is designed into a product label because women in China sometimes are just viewed as the products.
"Expired-2022" is addressing this fact and double standards ironically by using artist's birthday number as the name and stating that she will be expired on May 13th, 2022, the first day she is turning into 26 years old. "中國製造" is printed in traditional Chinese, the language is no longer used in Mainland China due to its complexity. The reason why she uses Traditional Chinese instead of Simplified Chinese is that artist wants to convey the double standards towards the age in mainland China should also be abandoned.
Utilizing magnetic pin back helps wearer to position the “Expired-2022” brooch in any direction.

Click here >> for more statement about the artist's work.
 

CV