Artist Statement

Xiaoping Yu is a visual artist based in Qingdao and Edinburgh. Her artistic practice covers a variety of media.

In this show, she used both static and dynamic forms to create her work, the clay sculpture "Under My Skin" and the experimental short film "Shock." Her inspiration came from personal experience. When she first arrived in Edinburgh, she had a frequent cough so she took a lot of medicine, which led to Henoch-Schonlein purpura, causing red spots on her legs, arms and internal organs, as well as abdominal pain. These symptoms were not only a physical response to the external environment but also reflected the decline in her immune system and increased internal stress as she adapted to the new culture and environment. The skin and mucous membranes are the body's first line of defence, so if the skin starts to deteriorate, it could be a sign of internal problems too.

Her project started with small sculptures. She used clay to create weirdly shaped viruses and gradually added skin textures to show the extension of disease. She photographed the sculptures, processed the details, combined them with her face, and created collages to provide material for the video design.

When people enter a new cultural environment, they often experience "culture shock." Besides the psychological adjustment, the body also reacts to environmental changes—like differences in water, food, air, and dust—which can affect health. Many international students experience issues like hair loss, allergies, and rashes when they first arrive, and due to the slow UK healthcare system, they might not receive timely treatment. Coupled with academic stress and uncertainty about the future, this can create a vicious cycle of depression and insomnia. She used these elements to create dynamic effects in her video editing.

Her goal was to create a dual sensory experience through visuals and sound, allowing the audience to deeply understand the challenges and confusion faced by international students during cultural shock. She hoped to draw attention to their need for psychological and medical support and encourage society to provide more comprehensive care and support for them.