Sometimes, what is free really is the best thing.
During my studies at UAL, I took part in the exhibition programmes of Feinaki Animation Week in China, Kaboom Animation Festival in the Netherlands, and Brighton International Animation Festival in the UK.
Two of my AR animation projects and one game project were selected for these exhibitions, all of which were free and open to the public.
I would not say that free exhibitions are inherently more meaningful than other forms of presentation, but they have become one of my favourite ways of showing work. There is no ticket, no expectation, and no barrier to entry. Anyone who loves animation, stories, or simply wandering into an unfamiliar space can encounter the work.
One of the most memorable moments came from my exhibition In Searching of the Wealth Empress at Feinaki Animation Week. In the notebook I left for visitors, a child wrote:
“I hope my friends and I will earn a lot of money in the future and live a happy life. I hope all girls can do what they want to do, not what society asks them to do. Don’t change yourself because of others.”
Her handwriting was so innocent that I could immediately tell she was a child. I was deeply moved by her words.
There were many other messages as well. Some wished me future fame, which felt like such a sweet dream. Some hoped to see more games made for female players. Others wrote that they wanted to become animators themselves.
Reading these notes, I felt an unexpected warmth. Although we had never met, animation had connected us. For a moment, the work no longer belonged only to me. It had become part of other people’s memories, wishes, and imaginations.
As a child, my favourite thing was watching television because it was free. Apart from the electricity bill and the channel subscription, there was no cost. Television introduced me to the idea that some people make a living through creativity. It planted a small seed that eventually grew into the path I follow today.
That is why I think free exhibitions matter. They allow children who have not yet started earning money, and families who may not have access to paid cultural events, to encounter art. Sometimes a single experience is enough to leave a lasting impression.
Through these exhibitions, I also began to understand what kind of artist I want to become. Before, I thought mostly about making work. Now, I think more about creating spaces where people can encounter it.
What moved me most was not seeing my work displayed on a wall, but seeing how people responded to it. The notes, conversations, and small moments of connection reminded me that art is not complete until it reaches someone else.
These experiences strengthened my desire to pursue an exhibition-based practice after graduation. I want to create work that can be experienced in shared spaces, where strangers can meet through stories, images, and play. Being seen is not about recognition or success. It is about connection.
As long as there is someone willing to engage with what I make, I will keep creating.
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