PEICHAO
LI
DEPARTMENT
CERAMICS
My current body of work, Fuzzy Monster, is a body of
work that investigates the power of “cute.” The “cute”
culture has become a prominent part of global pop
culture, but what is cuteness? And why are people
drawn to something cute? The power of “cute”
actually lies in its ability to evoke positive emotions
and trigger an instinctual, nurturing response. It often
taps into deep psychological and emotional states,
making us feel happy, safe, and affectionate. People
enjoy cute things for several reasons like nurturing
instinct, endorphin boost, and cultural influence.
However, other than the known reasons mentioned
above, “cute” is a teasing expression of the unclarity,
the uncertainty, and the uncanniness of lives.
My work’s “cute” part is embedded in the relative
round form and furry fuzziness. The soft fuzziness,
sharp edges, and hardness and ceramics make
an interesting contrast between cuteness and a bit
of fear, which is the monster part. By definition, a
monster is defined as a creature that is portrayed
as frightening or abnormal in appearance. However,
fuzzy monsters often evoke mixed emotions, ranging
from playful curiosity to a sense of comfort. Fuzzy
monsters, people may find them everywhere,
including a 2D space. Their existence is an
undeniable uncertainty.
Untitled
2024, Stoneware with glaze, 5’’ x 18’’ x 4’’
Brick basket
2024, Stoneware with glaze, 4’’ x 11’’ x 5’’
Bossy Fuzzy
2024, Stoneware with glaze, 8’’ x 6’’ x 6’’
Vessel
2024, Stoneware with glaze, 5’’ x 8’’ x 4’’