statement
My art is an exploration of cultural memory and the plurality of identity, expressed through the abstraction of bodily forms and the space they inhabit. For me, the act of painting is a necessary intervention—a way to engage with the weight of my memories and emotions without remaining bound by them—and to set myself free. I paint personal experiences infused with symbols and self-reflection, emerging from nonlinear narratives—snapshots of travel memories, colors tied to East Asia, or fragments of poignant experiences.
My practice delves deeply into themes drawn from the philosophical underpinnings of Chinese reflections on the nature of being, and Roland Barthes’ concept of ‘myth’ as a constructed reality. Through my art, I investigate the impermanence of existence, illustrated by the abstraction of the body as a vessel encompassing the five aggregates: form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. This approach allows me to portray the stream of thoughts and emotions that arise naturally or with resistance, capturing the human attempt to grasp continuity in the face of change. My paintings, alive with layered symbolism, embody questions of gender, spirituality, personal resilience, and healing, creating an intuitive visual narrative that invites viewers to reflect on both personal and universal truths.
Growing up in Yunnan, a Southwest province in China celebrated for its profound ethno-cultural heritage, and my Bai/Bo minority roots imbue my art with a dynamic consonance of cultural memory and symbolism. Moving to Canada at an early age introduced me to the nuances of identity within contexts of multicultural coexistence. Through my work, I weave a narrative that is both deeply personal yet grappling with universal themes of displacement, belonging, and transformation, embodying the dance of change, myth, and the visual power of storytelling. Drawing from my diverse influences, my art becomes a space of empathy and catharsis, inviting viewers to confront and liberate their own embedded stories.