In 2023, I embarked on a transformative journey with my mother to her ancestral home after more than two decades. Amidst the dilapidated ruins of her childhood house, we unearthed treasures steeped in family history—my late grandmother’s meticulously embroidered wedding shoes and the garments handcrafted by my mother and her sisters in their youth. Enveloped by the embrace of that weathered structure, I experienced an unparalleled sense of home. It was in that moment, surrounded by the whispers of generations past, that I felt compelled to create artworks intertwining folklore and feminist themes.
The project centers on the theme of home as a natural repository of cultural heritage, exploring how stories are passed down through generations of female characters. It delves into concepts of nostalgia, homeland, and maternal love, highlighting the interconnectedness of these themes in the lives of Chinese women.
During the residency, Feifan focused on a key story passed down from her grandmother, The Tale of the Nursing Woman. By bringing this personal folk story into a gallery context, she explored sharing this unique bond, that transcends cultural and linguistic differences.
