Vida Liu

My multimedia work addresses addiction and excessive consumption. Connections among consumers, desired objects, functionality, practicality, and aesthetic values inform my installations, drawings and paintings. Considering the neural and psychological aspects of shopaholics and hoarders, my work exploits the role of consumer goods as validating surrogates that provide a temporary sense of belonging, community, and fulfillment.

 

In my current body of work, I use my clothing and other donated materials from acquaintances, family, and friends. These once desired objects become absurdly impractical constructions that take up space, exposing behaviors that include excessive consumption and uncontrollable hoarding, as well as the notion of want versus need. The work embodies mixed feelings associated with unrestrained consumption and its consequent feelings of guilt and suffering; the objects and images have a dichotomous presence of both celebration and tragedy.

 

My process began with installations of an excessive amount of neuron-sculptures and end with three series of paintings. I explore the psychological effect of accumulated treasures on the victims and the aftermath of their hoards, emphasizing the dichotomy between the initial celebration and the ultimate disaster. These paintings depict the brokenness and emotional discomfort of shopaholics and hoarders.

 

In my final series, Compressed Happiness, I explore how the accumulation problem can be contained. I discovered the remedy to this problem by channeling my hoarding nature into the paintings I create. Instead of being controlled by a massive amount of clothing and material objects as surrogates, I finally find healing through my studio practice as a painter.