In creating this body of work, I re-explore the elements that have formed the identity which defines me today. Growing older has allowed me to appreciate the vibrant community that surrounded me during childhood summers spent in China’s bustling capital, Beijing. Looking back, I reimagine myself during those transitory moments and try to depict my memories visually. Who was I then? Who am I now?

Memory, my own heritage, and artwork have become symbiotic processes for me. The connections between tangible objects and their powerful effects on the mind fascinate me; after a glimpse of a decades-old photograph, why is it that my eyes become damp? The thought of losing these golden moments as I become older brings me sadness, but creating these pieces has allowed me to consider these memories from a fresh perspective. Working from photographs and objects close to me during my childhood, I experiment with incorporating colors and symbols to convey the meaning that they represent in Chinese culture.

In most of these pieces, I chose to focus on the medium of acrylics since its thick consistency allows it to retain the marks and ridges I create with my brush. I find that imperfections add life to a painting, allowing the human touch to shine through the canvas.