The Poppy Paradox: Beauty, War, and Exploitation

LI WEIZHI

In this project, I explore the multiple meanings of the complex symbol of the poppy in its historical, cultural and emotional dimensions, with ‘Symbolism and Memory’ at the centre. Through a combination of collage, handmade and digital technologies, I transformed the symbolism of the poppy into a visual language that presents a narrative of colonialism. The experimental nature of the project is reflected in the drawing of different images to explore design feasibility. The research process was informed by artists' interpretations of symbolism, and these inspirations helped me to deepen the emotional expression of the poppy symbol. Through this project, I have expanded my design language in terms of multimedia expression and look forward to realising more varied forms of expression in future explorations.