VALIDATION
Validation.
Previously had a realisation that I have started to see Instagram as a place where I would seek validation for my work, likes = good work, not enough likes = not that good. And that was a dangerous space to be in, as I begun hating producing work, spending so many hours on something I love and it wouldn’t be validated by social media. However this doesn’t consider algorithm, hype, sheep mentality and ease of digestion. Many people like what others like or what has a logo their familiar with, or following trends set by influencers. These different factors relate to marketing, not the work, there’s a whole process beyond the work produced to promote work. My issue was being on the fence between wanting to focus on work, or try and sell because I need money to pay the bills.
Being in the middle meant i devalued myself worth to make sales to people that aren’t my target market. Making prices cheap regardless of the hours spent and value of concept as I grew up not being able to afford such prices on clothing, and art was a luxury.
It was yesterday through a conversation with my partner that I felt like I had a reason for seeking validation online, and that’s because I never got it at home, my passion and career is not considered a legitimate path, to the point when I say I’m working on my products, I’m met with ‘so you’re free, come home’. Regardless of my treatment I had hope that if I could make money from it they’ll see something I love so much as a real path to continue on. In my eyes that meant good prices + Instagram likes = money = validation.
But through this journey of understanding myself outside of my culture, you realise that some things aren’t worth it, you become someone you’re not when you fight for your family to respect when you never gave them a reason not to. It’s just the perception of success within an Asian culture is humble, good grades good job and wife from the same country. I just don’t fit perfectly within those ideals, I’m happy with that but no one in my family is not even my siblings.
From this realisation I have begun to reevaluate where my value lies and what my aim is. I love my work and my concepts are valuable, I don’t wish to sell that short to pay some bills, I’m better than that, instead il find jobs that can do that for me.
And I want to realise my dream of being an artist that people want to collaborate with, my ideas spread across many disciplines and I want to bring ideas to life with people with their own particular craft. I believe I can be up there with the greats, Daniel Arsham, Virgil Abloh, Pharrel, Yohji Yahamotto and more. Regardless of where I actually land in life, aim for the stars, and with my talents, I believe I could get there. Even tho that feeling is constantly fluctuating and gets swallowed by a black hole of self doubt.
My journey itself creates a bigger picture as the work I make and the angle I see things. That’s why these entries are apart of my work,
