Holdout

This work was presented in the Slade School of Fine Art 2024 interim show. The term Holdout (“钉子户” (dīngzihù) in China refers to residents who steadfastly refuse to vacate their homes to make way for property development, often standing as symbols of resistance. This concept served as the inspiration for my work, which emerged spontaneously in response to an abrupt decision by the school.

Just three weeks prior to the exhibition, we were informed that we needed to vacate our studios to make room for the show, despite having already settled into these spaces as our creative environments. This unexpected and disruptive demand left many of us feeling disregarded and disrespected.

As a form of protest, I deliberately chose not to vacate my studio. Instead, I incorporated this act of defiance into the artwork itself, presenting my workspace as it was—unfiltered and authentic. By doing so, Holdout reflects on the tensions between private and public spaces, notions of ownership, and the governing structures that dictate them.