Unable

This work is about parent-child relationships, especially in East Asian families. Parents want to protect their kids, but sometimes, their love can also hurt. I use a hedgehog as a metaphor—it has spikes to protect itself, but those same spikes can also cause pain.
At the center of this work is a soft silicone ball, which feels like human skin and represents a child. The ball should be able to roll freely, but it’s covered in sharp metal needles, making it hard to move without getting hurt. Every time it rolls, the needles press into it, leaving small marks. This shows how parents’ expectations and strict love can sometimes be painful for a child.
I also did a performance where I tried to push the ball up a slope, but it kept rolling back down, over and over again. This is inspired by the Sisyphus myth, where he is stuck in an endless cycle. I wanted to show how many parents keep pushing their children to meet their expectations, even when it’s exhausting for both sides.
The final piece includes the damaged ball and a video of my performance. I hope people, whether they are parents or children, can reflect on family relationships and how love can be both protective and painful at the same time.