"words you've never said" by jin yuen is an immersive multimedia installation that explores intergenerational trauma and domestic abuse within chinese migrant families. it delves into the impact of unspoken pain, where unresolved trauma is passed down through generations, silencing those affected. in families grappling with domestic violence, cultural pressures to maintain silence often prevent difficult truths from being expressed. this silence, intended to shield, instead perpetuates emotional and psychological harm, deepening the wounds within family relationships and individual identities.
through its combination of visual and auditory elements, yuen’s installation invites viewers to confront the emotional void left by these unexpressed words, encouraging reflection on how trauma is silently transmitted and the consequences of keeping such pain hidden. by amplifying the need to break the cycle of trauma, the work stresses the importance of giving voice to what has been silenced, creating a space for healing, understanding, and resolution.
exhibition @ de hillevliet
exhibition @ cult north
