My project is an artistic book of illustrations that I titled Sensitive List. To better understand my project, it is important to know the cultural context as well as the political and historical frameworks in which this project was designed. Born and raised in China, I grew up in a climate of strict political censorship and restrictions. personal freedoms. One of the scariest aspects of my culture is the government-generated “hots list.” Essentially, this list includes more than a thousand words – like “democracy” and “freedom” – that the Chinese government has banned its people from using publicly. If people do not comply and choose to write or speak any of these government-censored words in a public forum, they risk serious penalties – or worse. The Sensitive List is an artistic response to the Chinese government's attempt to muzzle and restrict the freedoms of expression of its people, including my own. The Sensitive List was greatly influenced by the work of Ai Weiwei, a contemporary Chinese artist who was placed on the government's "sensitive list" because of his artistic and political boldness. His art questions and challenges the policies of his restrictive government, just like mine. The sensitive list is made up of carefully chosen terms and code words that are part of the government's collection of banned language. The words I chose are particularly meaningful to me, including “Tiananmen Square Protests,” an event that Chinese people are not allowed to discuss or reference. In my project, I included the literal meaning of terms and code words, as well as their Chinese pronunciations. I also illustrated how code words have traditionally...... middle of paper...... free individuals, and we don't need a censor to tell us what is acceptable or not . For me, any censorship is contrary to democratic principles. Freedom of expression must be guaranteed in China, as it is essential to preserving both a free society and a creative culture. Sensitive List, my art book of illustrations, aims to educate people, visually, about the restrictive principles and philosophy of a government that attempts to control and repress its people in an undemocratic manner. Through it, I wish to communicate my conviction that freedom of expression must be preserved, not only in art, but also in literature, theater, music and public discourse. Because it is through free and open debate about political and social ideas that humans – and society as a whole – can grow, develop and prosper. Hotlist is my attempt to make this happen in China.