Symbol of Hope

Abstract

This thesis artwork conveys the stories and emotions of my childhood memories shared with my sister, through the lens of our relationship. My sister has a communication impairment; she has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our family consists of three members: my mother, myself, and my sister. My parents are separated, and my mother works in the city every day. This has created a very close relationship between me and my sister, as I spend the most time with her in the family, from the moment we wake up until bedtime. Because of her autism, my sister is very emotionally volatile. When she's playing, she's cheerful, smiling broadly, and laughing loudly, but a few minutes later, she can cry. Every day, we share routines: we play video games together, we make dolls from clay, I draw and she colors, she loves playing with water and cooking. When she needs something, I'm the only one who truly understands her. Currently, I'm studying abroad and don't visit my sister as often. I miss our childhood together, and this has inspired this thesis artwork. I express these feelings through paper cranes, symbolizing hope and our bond, adapting their shapes to represent various poses. To connect with the concept of the artwork, I wanted to convey feelings of nostalgia, happiness, warmth, connection, and the joyful atmosphere of the time we spent together. The creative process emphasizes simple lines, colors, and styles, similar to my sister's drawings, to express purity, cheerfulness, and innocence. This reflects the values of love and affection, which are fundamental to life and the inspiration for my art. This artwork is created using the planographic process, specifically lithography.