Wei Yang

VI. Medium and Expression:

Finding Order in Fragments

Project Background and Source of Inspiration
“Temporary Assembly” was my first project at Camberwell. Initially, I planned to construct a wooden-frame house with a base made of discarded newspapers, its surface covered with graffiti, etchings, and toys. The title of the project reflects the fluidity and incompleteness of identity, memory, and cultural expectations. These elements, like fragments of a puzzle, are loosely connected, sometimes contradictory, and constantly reshaped by experience, cultural pressures, and personal growth.

The house itself was noisy, fragile, and contradictory, symbolizing my struggles with self-identity and its ambiguities.

Wood, paper, cardboard, string lights and found objects, 1m × 1m × 1.5m, 2024
covered at the ma fine art: drawing pop up exhibition @ camberwell college of arts, december 2024

Cultural Context and Self-Expression
During a critique session, my tutor repeatedly asked, “Is this about you?” This question made me realize that the house could be interpreted differently in various cultural contexts. In the West, it might be seen as a Wendy House, symbolizing middle-class affluence. For me, however, it was a tribute to childhood memories—a cardboard house my grandfather built for me, embodying warmth and care.

Wood, paper, cardboard, string lights and found objects, 1m × 1m × 1.5m, 2024
covered at the ma fine art: drawing pop up exhibition @ camberwell college of arts, december 2024

Choice of Medium
Initially, I didn’t pay much attention to the specific content of the newspapers used. Later, I realized that each element’s inclusion or exclusion carried significant weight. Retaining newspapers required careful selection to ensure alignment with the theme while avoiding unnecessary distractions. Throughout the process, I constantly reflected:
- How can personal expression be made clearer through details?
- How can universal narratives ensure clarity and accessibility for viewers?
- Is there enough logical coherence between the images?

Wood, paper, cardboard, string lights and found objects, 1m × 1m × 1.5m, 2024
covered at the ma fine art: drawing pop up exhibition @ camberwell college of arts, december 2024

Consistency Between Medium and Theme
Using multiple media, I began to evaluate whether each medium effectively conveyed a consistent theme or whether some elements distracted viewers. Inspired by Tracy Emin, I learned to transform personal experiences into compelling visual symbols, making the invisible aspects of daily life visible and engaging in deeper dialogue with the audience.

TRACEY EMIN (B. 1963) ,My Bed
mattress, linens, pillows and objects
31 x 83 x 92 1/8in. (79 x 211 x 234cm.)

“Temporary Assembly” is not just an experimental creation but an ongoing process of reflection. Through materials, imagery, and narrative, I hope to balance personal expression and universal storytelling, allowing the work to convey my emotions while transcending cultural barriers to engage with viewers.

Wood, paper, cardboard, string lights and found objects, 1m × 1m × 1.5m, 2024
covered at the ma fine art: drawing pop up exhibition @ camberwell college of arts, december 2024