Jiarui Yan

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Despite the awakening of my female self-awareness, my anxiety about my body hasn't disappeared. The fear of being overweight is still deeply ingrained in me. I earnestly hope to fully accept the different aspects of myself, rather than conforming to the standards imposed by others.

“As a Chinese student navigating a new life in Canada, these works draw from my journey of overcoming the constraints of a patriarchal society that once drove me to aspire toward an unattainable ideal of 'perfection,' inevitably leading to self-doubt and anxiety. My deep reflections on feminist theory have revealed the constructed nature of the 'perfect woman,' empowering me to embrace my individuality instead. My art, rooted in Neo-Expressionism, aims to express personal feelings with genuine strokes and rich colors. I explored themes of patriarchy, modern Chinese culture, capitalism's impact, and the significance of a healthy environment for personal growth.”