The Structure of Sadness on Cultural Erasure

Can we preserve our heritage by textiles?

Xiaotong (Elissa) uses her work to reflect on the impact of globalization and modernization on cultural diversity and traditional cultural patterns. Being born and raised in Inner Mongolia, having lived in Beijing and studied in London, she is using herself as an example of cultural erasure, telling her stories and experiences through materials. Considering the difference between dwelling spaces, she conveys her Mongolian heritage and western experiences by working closely with both natural and man-made architectural materials, exploring the contrast between hard and soft. In her textile work she mixes fibre and yarns from Mongolian and the UK. Xiaotong (Elissa) invites her audiences to think about their heritage and roots when they see her work.