Series
Below the Surface: Ocean Environmental Advocacy 2023-24
With a focus on ocean environmental advocacy, I am committed to shedding light on the numerous challenges faced by marine life, including pollution, overfishing, climate change, and habitat destruction. I have also incorporated research to inform viewers about the underlying causes that imperil the very existence of ocean creatures.
The ocean provides habitat for countless marine animals and plants that are integral to the overall health of the planet. From the vibrant coral reefs to lush seagrass beds, these inhabitants play a crucial role in the delicate balance of our ecosystem. Approximately 50% of the Earth's oxygen originates from the diverse marine plants, which absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide and help stabilize global temperatures.
Furthermore, marine life serves as a vital source of sustenance and medicinal resources for countless communities worldwide. Extending beyond the seafood industry, the ocean has economic benefits, such as tourist destinations and recreation activities; including swimming, surfing, diving, fishing, and boating.
The ocean holds a profound place in the hearts of many, with deep personal, cultural, and spiritual significance. There are many myths, stories, and rituals associated with the wonders of the ocean. The ocean has always been my source of serenity and inspiration, igniting my passion for its protection and preservation.
Made in China 2022
This series is an exploration of my identity as an adopted Chinese-American. Through both collected and imagined images, I endeavor to navigate my childhood. Using varied color palettes, shifting from cool and unsettling tones to warm and inviting hues, I strive to convey the emotions tied to the pivotal moments I have chosen to share. The realistic aspect of oil painting helps narrate the visceral, complicated feelings I have about my identity. My intention for the increasing size of paintings is to represent my growing awareness and understanding. The final piece is a current inspection and reflection, as it switches to portrait view and veers away from the other narrative pieces. The journey of understanding my identity is ongoing as I am still learning about who I am.
Under the Sea 2021
My work focuses on ocean environmental advocacy and reveals the horrific effects of plastic pollution on the natural world and all that lives in it. By reducing and reusing my own waste to create works of art, I expand the use of our man-made disposable, single use items. The ocean is my place of serenity. Since I was young, I have loved going to the ocean to swim, relax, build sand castles, and collect seashells. The large amount of litter found on the beach ruins the beauty of the natural environment and disrupts these happy experiences. For this series, I researched the affects plastics have on sea life, through being ingested, breaking down into invisible microplastics, and leading to deadly consequences. It saddens me that we are destroying the beautiful, natural world to satisfy our excessive material wants. I hope my work raises awareness of these deadly effects and motivates viewers to be more aware of their plastic waste and inspires them to reduce the use of plastics. If we all do our part, we will be able to help create a cleaner, sustainable, and beautiful world.
Life & Death 2020
Water & Fire 2019
My artwork is about the complex relationship between my cultures: Chinese (birth) and American (adoptee) culture. Personal to my experiences as a Chinese American, my work portrays the internal struggle and the feeling of being displaced in both cultures. My work aims to display the feeling of being overpowered, but also finding of balance between the two cultures. I hope my work connects to other American people of color and adoptees’ experiences of being consumed and displaced. My primary medium is oil paint because layering helps me create the motion of water and smoothness of skin as I try to convey complicated feelings about my identity.