Subsymbolic, Glasgow School of Art Degree Show, 2025
Multimedia Installtion
Subsymbolic is a multimedia installation exploring the intertwined themes of childhood, memory, and music.
In psychology and cognitive science, subsymbolic refers to a mode of understanding cognition that emphasises patterns, associations, and relationships rather than explicit symbols or structured rules. I chose this title because it reflects how these intangible forces have shaped my sense of self.
At the heart of the installation is a central figure – my alter ego – placed within a world constructed from fragments of sound and symbolic elements drawn from my childhood. This character acts as a visual anchor, embodying my inner world and the emotional landscape of growing up immersed in music.
Rather than telling a literal story, the work evokes nostalgia and emotional resonance through playful, abstract forms: pops of colour, textured surfaces, rhythmic patterns, and layered audio. These symbols of sound and childhood aren’t meant to be decoded like language but felt – mirroring how the mind processes memory and emotion: through rhythm, sensation, and connection.
Subsymbolic captures that quiet complexity – how meaning can arise not from what is clearly said, but from what is deeply felt.