artist statement
My work is a harmonious blend of cultural identity and memory. Drawing inspiration from my biracial heritage, nurtured by an American mother and a Taiwanese father, I explore the process of embracing one's cultural roots through subjects rooted in reality and abstraction.
Influenced by cherished family gatherings centered around dim sum, I weave together the threads of my upbringing. These memories, transformed into visceral drawings, paintings, and installations, invite viewers to explore the delicate balance within my identity. The imagery of hanging meat in Asian-owned restaurants, reminiscent of my family's frequent visits, forms the basis of my exploration.
These experiences shape my childhood and connect me to my Taiwanese roots, which I translate into ethereal forms using powdered graphite on vellum accompanied by vibrant vignettes on panel. The ghost-like quality of the graphite mirrors the fleeting nature of memory, while the vellum references its historical origins as animal membrane. Where the monochromatic drawings reflect my past, my chromatic paintings result from the clarity and growth I’ve nurtured by reexamining my cultural identity.