Inspired by my experience of reading in my second and third languages, I simulate the phenomenon of “slow reading” by wrapping a long, continuous piece of writing around a tree in Norwich, where I am currently pursuing an MA in Creative Writing. The text itself is both a confession and a self-introduction, addressing an omnipresent question:

Who are we as individuals within a collective, and do credentials truly define our identity?

Reflecting on the validity of IDs and the construction of identity, I use a long strip of paper, dyed with cochineal (an insect-based pigment) and machine-stitched, to write a self-introduction composed in a hybrid of English and Chinese. This work doubles as a physical and conceptual simulation of the challenges faced by language learners; installed on a tree, it requires viewers to physically move around the trunk to decode its content, mirroring the persistence required to navigate unfamiliar texts.

Utilizing fiber and natural pigment, installed alongside the tree’s own “bug neighbors”, the piece invites viewers to interpret how the medium reflects the vulnerability of human invention, the intricate relationship between humans and nature, and the delicate balance of giving and taking.