YOU TOUCHED MY LIFE
“Your legacy is every life you've touched."
— Maya Angelou
You Touched My Life is a solo exhibition that documents jewellery artist Vivian Qiu’s life journey from May 2023 to the present in a tangible form (the Life Line Braid) and through a documentary film that tells the story behind the braid.
The Life Line Braid captures artist Vivian Qiu’s feelings and body sensations, documenting her journey since May 2023. The braiding practice is a simple yet powerful way of processing her journey through grief, relationship changes, and personal growth. People have influenced her life in meaningful ways, and she hopes that the story conveyed in the braid can resonate with and influence yours.
The act of braiding is one aspect of Vivian’s practice, exploring slow-making and meditative processes. She uses her creative journey to embrace vulnerability and navigate complex emotions.
The beauty of the Life Line Braid lies in its non-goal-driven nature; she can’t plan what she wants to achieve in 10 years. It requires taking one step at a time. This may contradict the fast-paced society where people often seek to speed up their lives in pursuit of achievements. Sometimes, while braiding, she may not fully understand what she is experiencing. It may take two years or even ten years for her to look back at the braid and grasp the reasons behind difficult life situations. The braid serves as a personal journal, helping her process complex feelings.
The documentary film shares the life journey and story of an artist. It invites viewers to reflect, find solace, and process their personal experiences. Please take your time to watch this video; hopefully, it will offer you some insights.
Exhibition date: 08.10.24 - 20.10.24
Venue: Red Gallery
You Touched My Life, Vivian Qiu, 2024, videographed by Ashish Narwade.
You Touched My Life, Vivian Qiu, installation photo, Red Gallery, Melbourne, Australia, Photograph by Sebastian Kainey.
Life Line Braid, 2023-ongoing, photograph by Vivian Qiu.