Showcase

The Desire to Clean

Yujia Chen

Profile picture of Yujia Chen

I am a photographer based in London. My work focuses on small things and signs that are neglected but are important in life. I would like to capture dreamlike, fleeting moments through photography and explore the meaning of small things. All symbols and metaphors reside in our subconscious. I hope to use photography as a medium to explore the complexity of the inner world.

I am a photographer based in London. My work focuses on small things and signs that are neglected...

Hire me via Arts Temps

"The Desire to Clean" explores how the act of cleaning is therapeutic for us in everyday life. The psychologist Csikszentmihalyi's "Flow Theory" states by entering the flow of cleaning we regain a quiet and peaceful state of mind. Subconsciously, many people use cleaning for stress relief. My project reveals a subtle connection between cleanliness and human psychology through performance of cleaning plants.The act of cleaning can release the feeling of anxiety and bring a sense of healing. Although many things are difficult to change, cleaning is a gentle form of rebellion. When we are cleaning, we are creating a new space of calm and peace.

Final work

It is a picture of plant and my hand cleaning it.

Dawn

The light at dawn is blue. As I clean my plants, I feel a strange sense of peace.

It is an image of a hand cleaning a plant.

Noon

The light become warmer at midday. Cleaning the plants make me feel like time is slowing down.

This is a picture of my hand cleaning a plant.

Dusk

As the sun is about to set, there is no beautiful sunset; the sky appear dim and grayish-white. My plants needed care, and as I clean them in my hands, I feel a sense of peace.

Research and process

the first page of research progress

The connection between cleaning and healing

There are neuropsychological mechanisms behind cleaning. The healing power of cleaning cannot be ignored. We can feel healed in small actions.

another page of my research process

Explore the healing powerng of cleaning and cleanliness aesthetics

During the cleaning process, we seem to feel time slow down, thus entering a meditative state.

Share this project

The Desire to Clean

"The Desire to Clean" explores how the act of cleaning is therapeutic for us in everyday life. The psychologist Csikszentmihalyi's "Flow Theory" states by entering the flow of cleaning we regain a quiet and peaceful state of mind. Subconsciously, many pe...

A link to this page has been added to your clipboard

Browse related work