Me and my Quiet Thoughts

Me and My Quiet Thoughts is a text-based concrete sculpture that explores the internal dialogues shaping our sense of self-worth. Across three large slabs, shifting narratives of uncertainty, aspiration, and self-recognition mirror the fluidity of identity and the ongoing search for connection.

The leftmost slab embodies self-doubt, casting insecurities in concrete as a reminder that inner struggles are as real and persistent as external ones. Beneath, an emotional plea surfaces.

The central slab highlights traits valued by society, yet uncertainty still lingers. The rightmost slab shifts toward self-recognition, not as a claim of superiority, but as an acknowledgment of inherent worth. The final statement reinforces this belief in our intrinsic value.

Wan-Yi’s process of self-inquiry anchors the work, reflecting a journey from insecurity to self-recognition. The laborious casting process—from laser-cut text to concrete—mirrors the slow, cumulative formation of beliefs. Change in perception is gradual, shaped over time through repeated self-talk.

Concrete represents permanence, yet expresses impermanence. The text is fixed in stone, yet constantly influenced by light, weather, and time—reminding us that thought, like everything else, is fluid and evolving.

Me and My Quiet Thoughts reflects the ongoing dialogue of self-awareness. When we embrace our complexities with compassion, we allow ourselves to recognize the same in others.

Debuting in 2016 at the La Conner Sculpture Exhibition in WA, USA, the sculpture remained on view until Spring 2019. It was then exhibited as part of the ArtsAlive outdoor sculpture exhibition in Oak Bay, BC, from Spring 2019 to Spring 2020, where it won third place in the People’s Choice Award.

Size: 40" x 103" x 32" H
Materials: Concrete, hardware, and steel