Shiqing Li
If I were a hedgehog-Embrace the Spikes, 2023
Wool,Cotton, Thread,Beads 80x70x25
I'm a hedgehog. I may seem cold and aloof, but I have a soft body and a warm heart. I tend to avoid people and even sometimes appear mean, but it's only because I use our personalities like spikes all over my body to protect myself from harm. My spikes may hurt others, but they also hurt me. They come from my insecurity, my emotional state of worry, and my low confidence. I feel tension and sadness because I think I’m not doing well enough. But I’m wrong. I’m doing my best, and my spikes are not something to be ashamed of. They're a part of who I am and they make me unique and special. Through my work, I want to encourage myself and those who also have spikes on their bodies to embrace and accept themselves for who they are. I want to show that our spikes are not just defensive, but also huggable, touchable, soft, and colorful. I want to create a world where people can be themselves without fear of judgment or rejection. A world where our differences are celebrated, not suppressed. A world where we can be hedgehogs and still be loved and accepted. So let's embrace our spikes. Let's wear them proudly and let them shine. Let's show the world that we're not just hedgehogs, but also artists, creators, and dreamers. Let's create a new culture of acceptance, kindness, and understanding. Because in the end, it's not our spikes that define us, but our hearts. And our hearts are always warm and full of love.
Shiqing Li
If I were a hedgehog-Embrace the Spikes, 2023
Wool,Cotton, Thread,Beads 80x70x25
To some, I'm akin to a hedgehog—appearing distant, perhaps cold. I shun company, and at times, emit an unfriendly air, sheltering with metaphorical spikes. Yet, these defenses, while protective, wound others and myself within. The tension within stems from insecurity, a fragile state of concern, and dwindling confidence. Hidden beneath, however, lies a tender core and a heart ablaze with warmth. My purpose? To inspire self-acceptance among fellow hedgehogs, revealing that these spikes are not merely barriers, but also something inviting, soft, and vivid. Don't conceal your uniqueness; wear it proudly.
Shiqing Li
If I were a hedgehog-Embrace the Spikes, 2023
Wool,Cotton, Thread,Beads 80x70x25
To some, I'm akin to a hedgehog—appearing distant, perhaps cold. I shun company, and at times, emit an unfriendly air, sheltering with metaphorical spikes. Yet, these defenses, while protective, wound others and myself within. The tension within stems from insecurity, a fragile state of concern, and dwindling confidence. Hidden beneath, however, lies a tender core and a heart ablaze with warmth. My purpose? To inspire self-acceptance among fellow hedgehogs, revealing that these spikes are not merely barriers, but also something inviting, soft, and vivid. Don't conceal your uniqueness; wear it proudly.
