Ruth Ju-shih Li
Location
Gadigal/Sydney, NSW
About
Ruth Ju-shih Li is a Taiwanese-Australian artist whose ephemeral practice presents actions of
meditation. Her work is a celebration of renewal, natural cycles of life and the gradual
progression of time. Speaking in the universal language of flowers, these chimerical microcosms
of organic forms are autobiographical, yet mirror and extend onward to consider the fleeting
and transitory nature of the human condition. Informed by her interest in articulating the
complexities of cultural identities, Li draws inspiration from the languages of myth, rituals and
the natural world in order to examine cultural confluences as an inclusive language in to the
spiritual. Li divides her time between her studio in Sydney, her birth city Taipei and her
ancestral homeland of China - where her second studio is based in the porcelain city of
Jingdezhen.
Artist Statement
FLORA EPHEMERA utilises clay as a medium for meditation, connection, and healing. Rooted in
an experimental and conceptual approach, Li’s practice invites reflection on personal and
cultural narratives, navigating grief, intergenerational trauma, and spirituality. The first part
consists of a demonstration of Li’s unique approach to traditional ceramic techniques including
coiling, hand modelling, slip casting and use of press-molds, which will culminate in the creation
of an ephemeral sculpture.
The second part invites participants to engage in a meditative watering ritual, pouring water
over the ephemeral sculpture as a collective gesture. Allowing the clay to carry things we
cannot put into words, offering a shared experience that brings the community together. This
ritual offers a space for reflection, exchange, and healing, bridging divides and fostering
meaningful connections through collective participation.