Medium: Acrylic，Digtal etching
Size:420 x 297mm
Created in 2023
Size:420 x 297mm
Created in 2023
‘
Our own face changes’
The genesis of my recent work was a few old photographs sent by my estranged father. A particular photo sparked a flood of questions and uncertainties. A little girl of four, standing with my parents — was this child really me? The memory of that time in my life is hazy, like a dream, with this photograph serving as the sole tangible evidence of my past in China.
In another photo, my mother had lost all of her hair due to breast cancer treatment, and with a left arm weakened due to a mastectomy, couldn't lift heavy objects anymore. She relied on my help to carry grocery bags after shopping. These experiences, deeply personal and transformative, have shaped my understanding of strength, sacrifice, and the complexities of life, which I explore within my practice.
The genesis of my recent work was a few old photographs sent by my estranged father. A particular photo sparked a flood of questions and uncertainties. A little girl of four, standing with my parents — was this child really me? The memory of that time in my life is hazy, like a dream, with this photograph serving as the sole tangible evidence of my past in China.
In another photo, my mother had lost all of her hair due to breast cancer treatment, and with a left arm weakened due to a mastectomy, couldn't lift heavy objects anymore. She relied on my help to carry grocery bags after shopping. These experiences, deeply personal and transformative, have shaped my understanding of strength, sacrifice, and the complexities of life, which I explore within my practice.
I began my journey as a silent observer during my childhood, struggling with self-expression. My experiences, defined by my upbringing in China, the school's suppression of my local dialect, my mother's fight against breast cancer, and father's subsequent absence post my mother's recovery, have all shaped my understanding of my place in the world. Compounded by my mother's post-mastectomy physical limitations and my subsequent move to Japan, I grappled with feelings of dislocation and alienation. Now, I acknowledge that if I was still in China, I wouldn't be the person I am today. My process of adapting to new environments, the initial discomfort, and the eventual appreciation of beauty in these different spaces, has moulded my world view. This challenging, yet enlightening metamorphosis has afforded me a profound understanding of myself and the world around me. From my past experiences and my current circumstances, I draw strength, reflecting these deeply personal narratives into my work.
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