The Fragments

thought-provoking illustrated pieces of life observations and inner reflections

Illustrated & Written by Yi Fang

THE FRAGMENTS Yi Fang

PREFACE The phrase “inspiration comes from life” drives me to make art and record my thoughts and inspirations.

The art in this portfolio/book is derived from or focuses on small observations, different emotions, and life-positive or negative daydreams in my life.

Each illustration is accompanied by a concise text that tells its own story, just like those scattered fragments. They come in all sizes, colors, features, and shapes; And I had collected the pieces together and will be sharing them as a whole with you.

Hopefully, some “pieces" in this book will resonate with your understanding and have a connection with your mind or soul.

PS: I will keep working on this book as long as I’m alive.

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CONTENTS 04 PREFACE

10 FRIED EGG (ICE) FLOE

14 THE PUPPET

08

FIT INTO THE RUSSIAN DOLLS

12 TIMEBOMB

16 FISHBONE MUSEUM

06

18 LES ÉTRANGERS

22 VOMIT (SAY) THE TRUTH

26 THE STAR STEALER

20 WASHING MACHINE

24 THE PLAYGROUND

29 NOTES

TO BE CONTINUED...

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FIT INTO THE RUSSIAN DOLLS

Stand out, fit in. 脱颖而出，融入集体。

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10

FRIED EGG (ICE) FLOE

Imagination does not have to be colorful; It can be simple and unique.

It’s okay to be an ice floe separated from the masses because everyone has different ideas and insights. We shall be free from restrictions and constraints; Floating on the sea, and enjoy the journey of sailing.

Salute!

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TIMEBOMB “ I know the phone is ringing, but I don’t want to answer it. ” “ I knew the phone was ringing, but I couldn’t answer it. ”

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14

THE PUPPET

The show must go on. 演出必须继续下去。

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FISHBONE MUSEUM

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The passage of time is irreversible. 时间的流逝不可逆转。

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LES ÉTRANGERS*

A sense of belonging is something that many people pursue throughout their lives.

I guess I’ve gotten used to the Canadian way of life over the last few years, but I’m not used to everything here yet. I’ve always been a foreigner. However, even back in my homeland, China, I still felt familiar and unfamiliar with everything and the environment around me.

I think I became a foreigner in my hometown...

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｜ Les Étrangers*: The foreigners / 异国人; 外地人。

WASHING MACHINE

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｜ Note*: Both the Chinese and English translations of the words in the illustration are on page 29.

I think of life experiences as a lot of washing machines in motion.

Although these stains (words*) can be clean, they do not disappear forever nor dissolve. They will come back to you invisibly, and become a hidden knot in your heart.

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VOMIT (SAY) THE TRUTH Many people tell “white lies” first when they do not want to hurt the other person. Therefore, “the truth” is usually “hidden” or “foreshadowed” by the lie.

Some people usually have a hard time starting a conversation, they may not know how to or where to start. They may not have anyone to trust or to confide in, or they have become so used to slowly digesting thoughts by themselves that they eventually become silent...

Maybe concocting a lie can get through all the complicated details in a single stroke. For instance, the classic phrase “I'm fine” means “I'm not good at all.”

｜ Note*: The flower language and the Chinese wordplay in the illustration are explained on page 29.

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THE PLAYGROUND

Everyone has a few unforgettable places in their memory. Maybe you dream about those places from time to time or think about them occasionally.

For me, this playground is one of the places that I have long cherished and treasured in the back of my mind. I couldn’t remember when was the last time I went there, but it still vaguely exists in my mind, sometimes blurred and sometimes clear.

I think this playground is like a lighthouse lighting up the sea at night, illuminating the future for me while watching me go sailing, but it attracts me to look back at it from time to time.

I want to go there again and say goodbye.

It is a spot that I miss, but a place that I will never be able to return.

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THE STAR STEALER Who doesn’t want to have a starry sky? 谁不想拥有一片星空呢?

To Be Continued... ｜

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NOTES P16, “LES ÉTRANGERS”: *Les Étrangers: the foreigners, strangers / 异国人 ; 外地人。 P18-P19, “WASHING MACHINE”: *Reading the illustration from left to right: 自卑 (Self-abasement), 無助 (Helplessness), 孤立 (Isolation), 挫折 (Frustration), 猶豫 (Hesitation), 煩惱 (Annoyance), 自責 (Self-accusation); 恐懼 (Fear), 自閉癥 (Autism), 疏遠 (Alienation), 憂郁癥 (Melancholia), 疲勞 (Weariness), 神經質 (Nervousness), 失 眠 (Insomnia).

P20-P21, “VOMIT (SAY) THE TRUTH”: *The purple viola tricolor ( 紫三色堇 ) symbolizes: silence.

Reading from bottom to top means "The Lie".

Reading from top to bottom means "The Truth".

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The Fragments Copyright © 2021 by Yi Fang All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Editing & Design by Yi Fang www.yifangillustration.com