The Unexpected

Artist statement for The Unexpected: 

You’ll always create the best art without planning in advance. Life’s all about surprises and nonconformity.

Tell us more about your process! How did you come to make the decisions you made in this work? What inspired you to make this work?

Paperborn Inferno was a recreational project, but also my first try at 3D origami. Inspired by this form’s infinitude, I brought paper with me everywhere and became enchanted by the magic of this folding art. I was preparing the pieces everywhere: at school, in my room, in restaurants, or even at the planetarium!

To create Paperborn Inferno, I followed this YouTube tutorial by 3Dorigamivideos. 

Funnily enough, my best artwork called Filigree of the Golden Twenties was a last-minute idea for an English project on The Great Gatsby. The process was rushed in a small artisan workshop in Shanghai two days before my return to Montreal in January [2025]. I chose to include iconic symbols such as the pink color representing Daisy Buchanan, the green light of hope near the dock and Gatsby’s mansion in West Egg.

What is your favourite medium to make art with?

It would be paper, as my art can’t exist without it. I love to experiment with different types such as construction paper, origami paper or post-its.

What drew you to art-making originally?

My admiration for the experts who make amazing traditional Chinese heritage arts (such as filigree enamel, paper-cutting and embroidery) drew me to art-making. Their remarkable achievements fuel my ambition to keep learning new forms of art and to promote the artistic aspect of my culture.

What was the most beautiful thing you saw today?

As winter surprises my city with a hefty amount of snow, the sun begins to fall earlier and earlier. After coming home from school, I gaze into the mesmerizing sunset, a palette of amaryllis, marigold, cherry blossom and lavender, for a momentary eternity until all the colours fade into black.

This Q&A has been edited for clarity and length.