ARTIST STATEMENT
My journey as a child of immigrants has taught me that while I have been blessed with the richness of a diasporic experience, I also inherited a survival mindset from my upbringing that subdued my artist voice. With each work I complete, I ask myself, “Who is speaking?” and begin another that may sound more like me. While some elements stick and others don’t, I always welcome new mediums, subject matters and techniques to bring out different manifestations of my artist voice, seeking a balance that allows my art to flow freely from my soul.
In Taoism there is Yin and Yang, two opposing yet interconnected components of existence that encompass everything. Yin is what already exists, what we cannot control, what is obscured, unseen, intangible. Yang is what we create, what is brought forth through action, what is illuminated, stated, tangible. All come together in the balance of the universe
YIN-YANG SUSPENSION (FEBRUARY 2025)
My most recent exploration is an amalagamation of practices gathered over the years, joined by a balance of Yin and Yang. Yin is embodied in the abstracted, naturally flowing calligraphic strokes in sumi ink, a practice I developed that reflects my inherent identity as a Chinese American (see “Calligraphic Flow Series”). Yang is embodied in the meticulously formed lattice, made using gel nail polish materials from making press-on nail sets, a practice I picked up when I was introduced to nail culture while in Brooklyn. The cast shadow under a spotlight brings out another aspect of Yin and Yang between the two coinciding, yet complementary visual frames.
CALLIGRAPHIC FLOW SERIES (2019–2025)
Using Chinese calligraphy techniques that I learned in my early childhood, this series of abstracted calligraphy has formed a visual fabric that captures in some ways my experience as a Chinese American. The sumi ink strokes, originating from traditional Chinese calligraphy, have been re-contextualized to become something unique, just as my Chinese heritage has been in my experience as part of the diaspora. This practice has become a recurring element in my works, and I turn to it often in meditation or as a figurative warm-up.ACRYLIC PAINTINGS (2023–2024)
Acrylic paint was the medium I was most familar with when I started renting an art studio in Brooklyn, June 2023–October 2024. It was my go-to medium for more representational depictions.SHOP COLLECTIONS (2024)
My first project in my studio in Ridgewood, NY was to create seasonal collections for my personal online artist shop. I used this opportunity to explore a range of new mediums, such as UV gel nail polish, air dry clay, glass enamel paint, Chinese knotting cord, and more. The preview photos below link to the shop collections.GOUACHE PAINTINGS (2024–2025)
I began exploring gouache when I moved back to my parents’ home in New Jersey. It was relatively cleaner to work with in a home environment as well as more portable. The medium drew me toward more illustrative work as I explored floral ornamentation and the idea of portals.