SIJIE LI
Living far away from family and friends in a very
unfamiliar environment can be daunting. Coupled with
the language barriers, the fear of communicating with
others and unwillingness to share feelings often
develops into social anxiety. Sijie Li’s "Emotional Mask"
stands as a direct response to the escalating issue of
social anxiety, stemming from the personal experience
confronted by the artist. Probing into the realm of
wearable therapy while also harnessing the
transformative potential of masks and puppet gloves,
Sijie Li illuminates a path towards emotional expression
and release for individuals grappling with social anxiety.
The interplay between these tangible therapeutic tools
and the wearer is marked by a palette of soft materials
and vivid hues, with the intention of orchestrating a
shift from unease to playfulness.
As someone who has navigated the challenges of social anxiety herself, Sijie channeled her understanding and empathy into her creations. “Emotional Masks” revolves around the concept of wearable therapy tools—masks and gloved puppets— that enable individuals to express and transform their negative emotions
As someone who has navigated the challenges of social anxiety herself, Sijie channeled her understanding and empathy into her creations. “Emotional Masks” revolves around the concept of wearable therapy tools—masks and gloved puppets— that enable individuals to express and transform their negative emotions
Sijie Li is a fashion accessories designer with a background in leather design. She emphasizes the
importance of real communication and interaction among people through her work. The driving
force behind Li’s creative pursuits lies in witnessing the resonance of her designs with individuals,
as they become a source of connection and identification. The thrill of seeing people embrace and
select her designs is akin to her creative vision manifesting as a bridge of understanding. Li’s
commitment is fuelled by an unwavering passion and profound fascination with colours, material
combination, love for handcraft and playful design language in her crafting.
Embedded within the essence of her work is an emphasis on genuine human connection and interaction—an effort to breathe a sense of optimism and well-being into minds weathered by distress.
Sijie Li's endeavor is her desire to contribute positively to the lives of those grappling with social anxiety. By crafting these wearable tools that offer both artistic expression and emotional relief, Sijie endeavors to offer a tangible remedy. Her dedication to addressing a pressing societal issue through a unique blend of design, emotion, and functionality underscores her commitment to her craft.
Living far away from family and friends in an entirely unfamiliar environment can be a daunting experience. Coupled with language barriers, the fear of communication with others, and an unwillingness to share feelings, social anxiety often develops as a consequence. Sijie Li's "Emotional Mask" stands as a direct response to the escalating issue of social anxiety, stemming from her personal experiences.
Delving into the realm of wearable therapy and harnessing the transformative potential of masks and puppet gloves, Sijie Li illuminates a path towards emotional expression and release for individuals grappling with social anxiety. The interplay between these tangible therapeutic tools and the wearer is marked by a palette of soft materials and vivid hues, with the intention of orchestrating a shift from unease to playfulness. She handcrafts her pieces with slow techniques like tufting, crochet, and knitting, creating beautiful textures, adding a unique artisanal touch to her work. The textures along with colours act as grounding tool that has calming and grounding affects for an anxious mind.
Embedded within the essence of her work is an emphasis on genuine human connection and interaction—an effort to breathe a sense of optimism and well-being into minds weathered by distress.
Sijie Li's endeavor is her desire to contribute positively to the lives of those grappling with social anxiety. By crafting these wearable tools that offer both artistic expression and emotional relief, Sijie endeavors to offer a tangible remedy. Her dedication to addressing a pressing societal issue through a unique blend of design, emotion, and functionality underscores her commitment to her craft.
Living far away from family and friends in an entirely unfamiliar environment can be a daunting experience. Coupled with language barriers, the fear of communication with others, and an unwillingness to share feelings, social anxiety often develops as a consequence. Sijie Li's "Emotional Mask" stands as a direct response to the escalating issue of social anxiety, stemming from her personal experiences.
Delving into the realm of wearable therapy and harnessing the transformative potential of masks and puppet gloves, Sijie Li illuminates a path towards emotional expression and release for individuals grappling with social anxiety. The interplay between these tangible therapeutic tools and the wearer is marked by a palette of soft materials and vivid hues, with the intention of orchestrating a shift from unease to playfulness. She handcrafts her pieces with slow techniques like tufting, crochet, and knitting, creating beautiful textures, adding a unique artisanal touch to her work. The textures along with colours act as grounding tool that has calming and grounding affects for an anxious mind.
Sijie Li emphasizes the importance of real communication and interaction among people. The
driving force behind Li's creative pursuits lies in witnessing the resonance of her designs with
individuals as they become a source of connection and identification. The thrill of seeing people
embrace and select her designs is akin to her creative vision manifesting as a bridge of
understanding. Li's commitment is fueled by an unwavering passion and profound fascination
with colors, material combinations, love for handcraft, and a playful design language in her
crafting.
Embedded within the essence of her work is an emphasis on genuine human connection and interaction—an effort to breathe a sense of optimism and well-being into minds weathered by distress. Sijie Li's endeavor is her desire to contribute positively to the lives of those contending with social anxiety. By crafting these wearable tools that offer both artistic expression and emotional relief, Sijie endeavors to offer a tangible remedy. Her dedication to addressing a pressing societal issue through a unique blend of design, emotion, and functionality underscores her commitment to her craft.
Text by Nikita Jain
Embedded within the essence of her work is an emphasis on genuine human connection and interaction—an effort to breathe a sense of optimism and well-being into minds weathered by distress. Sijie Li's endeavor is her desire to contribute positively to the lives of those contending with social anxiety. By crafting these wearable tools that offer both artistic expression and emotional relief, Sijie endeavors to offer a tangible remedy. Her dedication to addressing a pressing societal issue through a unique blend of design, emotion, and functionality underscores her commitment to her craft.
Text by Nikita Jain