Paper, Fragrance, and Time: How HUA HUI CHI's Sustainable Art Won International Recognition

In an era where sustainability and emotion are often treated as separate conversations, Taiwanese artist HUA HUI CHI brings them together with quiet elegance. Her project “Fleeting Time . Paper Speaks Sustainability. Fragrance Flows On” recently earned her the Platinum Prize in Sustainable Art Creation at the 2025 Future Art & Design Award UK (Summer Season) — a recognition that celebrates her deeply personal and culturally grounded approach.

HUA HUI CHI's artistic practice is rooted in reflecting on the relationship between nature, culture, and feeling. This year, she began exploring the medium of recycled paper combined with scent, transforming overlooked materials into poetic carriers of memory and environmental consciousness. “Creativity is how I express my perception of the land and life,” she shares. The inspiration behind her career in art is just as personal. Growing up in East Asia, where emotions are not always openly expressed, she found in creativity a way to communicate love and care — for people, for the planet, and for the intangible bonds that connect us. “Watching discarded paper reborn in my hands reminds me that creation is not just expression; it’s an action. A gentle but determined one.”

Her award-winning project involved an intricate process of pulping recycled paper, infusing it with natural fragrances, and embedding layers of cultural symbolism. Every stage — from scent formulation to sculptural shaping — was hands-on and deeply intentional. One standout piece from the series is a clock made from paper pulp, incorporating zodiac signs and solar motifs to symbolize both the passage of time and humanity’s relationship with the Earth. “The biggest challenge was balancing texture, aroma, and meaning,” she notes. “But the most exciting part was seeing the final piece resonate emotionally — a kind of familiarity that surprises you.” HUA HUI CHI describes her creative style as sensory and symbolic. Her works are “touchable, scentable, perceivable” — not just visual objects, but experiences. They invite viewers to slow down, breathe in, and reflect on time, sustainability, and emotional memory.

Looking ahead, she believes the future of art and design lies in cross-disciplinary exploration that blends sustainability, cultural memory, and sensory experience. “We’ll need works that carry and connect the past, present, and future — not just visually, but through touch, smell, and feeling.” In Fleeting Time, the scent of memory lingers, the paper speaks, and sustainability is not a statement — it’s a story, gently told.

Please give us a brief introduction about yourself and your creative background.

I am from Taiwan. In my creative process, I often reflect on the connection between nature, culture, and emotion, and try to express these feelings through my work. This year, I began integrating recycled paper with fragrance in my creations, transforming materials and scent into carriers of sustainability, stories, and aesthetic living. Creativity is my way of expressing my perception of the land, culture, and life.

What inspired you to pursue a career in creative / art?

I have loved art and creativity since childhood, and I find healing through the act of creation. Growing up in an East Asian cultural environment, love and emotions are not always easy to express directly, so I use my work to convey the love that protects the land and culture. Watching discarded paper reborn through my hands reinforces my belief that creativity is not only expression but also a gentle yet determined action to awaken people to cherish the Earth and love.

Can you describe the creative process behind your work and what motivates you to create?

This series combines recycled paper pulp, plants, fragrance, and cultural symbols. From pulping to shaping, aroma structure, and every detail, the works are the result of continuous experimentation and refinement. My motivation stems from a simple intention—to use the most basic materials and scents to remind people to treasure time, care for the Earth, and continue love and memory. What was the most exciting or challenging part of creating the work you submitted to the competition? The greatest challenge was ensuring the recycled paper retained its texture while carrying fragrance, and integrating cultural symbols to give the work multiple layers of meaning—emotion, love, and environmental consciousness. For example, the clock combines recycled paper, the sun, and the twelve zodiac signs, symbolizing the awakening of our most primal love within, while reminding us that the Earth is rapidly depleting due to human desire. The most exciting moment was when the final presentation brought forth a familiar yet novel atmosphere—an emotional resonance beyond words.

How would you describe your creative style and the key characteristics that define your work?

My creative style combines natural materials, cultural symbols, and sensory experiences. Through recycled techniques and fragrance, my work conveys healing and reflection. The key features of my creations are that they are “touchable, scentable, and perceivable.” They blend aesthetic living with the spirit of sustainability, giving ordinary objects new stories and life.

What has been your experience participating in the competition? Were you satisfied with the process and results?

This was my first time participating in an international competition. Throughout the preparation and submission process, I constantly learned and grew. Although I started with a lack of confidence, seeing my work recognized on a global stage filled me with.

Where do you see the future of the art and design industry heading in the next 5-10 years?

I believe that in the next 5 to 10 years, art and design will place greater emphasis on sustainability and cultural integration. With the rise of global environmental awareness, finding creative and artistic ways to carry and connect the past, present, and future will be a key trend. In particular, cross-disciplinary works that combine sensory experiences and humanistic care will become increasingly valued.

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