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Show RCA 2019

Liyu Xue

Show RCA work

Major project:

Rethinking Suicide

Rethinking Suicide is a suicide awareness project which originates from my own personal experience. As someone who used to think about suicide, and has experienced several people's deaths by suicide, I have some opinions about this topic to share with the public. Today I invite everyone to think in depth and talk more openly suicide, 58 years after formally decriminalising suicide in England and Wales.

Why we should understand more about suicide? Because by doing so we can potentially save more lives. Suicide today is one of the leading causes of human death, and it is a probability event that anyone can be affected by suicide. It is a rational consideration to treat suicide without bias, stigma, avoidance or rejection. There is a potential of turning thoughts of suicide into the motivation to re-empower oneself. 

For this project, I interviewed several people about their experiences attempting suicide and bereavement; I wrote an essay based on my experience and knowledge, and designed a publication book with graphic designer Yilin. I wish to invite more people to make a step towards sincerely opening the discussion, and together building up a more supportive environment for sustaining our mental wellbeing in the long run. 

Info

  • School

    School of Communication

    Programme

    MA Visual Communication

    Specialism

    Visual Communication: Experimental Communication

  • Contact

  • Liyu's research topics include aesthetics, philosophy, ethics, education and wellbeing. She grew up in People's Republic of China and later came to the United Kingdom to studying English and Art. Liyu has developed her own style in drawing and painting, incorporating both Eastern and Western techniques of using traditional mediums. 

    Liyu's practice centres on making communication more effective and engaging in her work, at the same time as building up an open and inclusive environment that allows for conversations to be carried on at multiple depths. By using art as a language or medium, Liyu aims to express personal thoughts and ideas and inspire people to collaboratively make positive changes for the future.

  • Previous degrees

  • BA (Hons) Illustration, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, 2016
  • Collaborators

  • Yilin Wang
Royal College of Art