Silent Uproar--Mixed Media Installation

I explore the interconnectedness between my personal introspection and the societal issues related to loss of one’s identity, human rights, and global pandemics. Having matured during these times, I only see it fitting to express my emotions and perspectives on the issues that have mattered to me. Using various textured materials to demonstrate the outside world versus myself, I love to contextualize with spray paint, textile scraps, dry acrylic paints, collages, yarns, and wire to demonstrate the chaotic nature of the world in contrast to my inner peace. Combining both 3D and 2D materials, I aspire to create a multi-sensory effect for the viewer. Utilizing this dense and complex approach, I hope to portray the intangible and the tangible. Refusing to nap, I usually enjoy using dry acrylic paints, spray paint, and wire to invoke a 3D piece that displays the intangibles of the world such as anxiety, stereotypes, opinions, and voices. In particular, my piece “Silent Uproar” demonstrates this practice. Using wood sticks, chicken wire, spackling paste, and black spray paint, I demonstrate the loud sound by making my own “broken city.” The most tangible materials embody the most intangible - sound. However, I still utilize wind chimes to enhance the experience with the sensation of sound. Using my experiences as an Asian in which people always considered me shy and reserved because of my heritage, I love that art expresses the voice that may sometimes seem muted. In this piece, I use the characters of various Asian languages including Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, Hindi, and Thai to hopefully wake people from their collective naps and realize that Asian women will no longer remain reserved. 

 

Nowadays, I constantly seek inspiration around me. I see so much visual stimulation around me. In particular, I gain the best inspiration through people. When I think of my experimental piece “Mood Board,” I’m reminded of my early high school art teacher. Guiding me through this piece, she inspired me to be bold in my practices. Taking my first step forward on depicting intangible moods, I used only dry acrylic to express my feelings for the environment around me. She revealed to me that art does not solely rely on realism and perfection, but also on storytelling and risks. By taking a different approach, I learned that risks in art can result in great rewards in expressing my emotions. Soon, I discovered artists such as Jean Michael Basquiat and Mark Bradford who inspired me to forget naps, go bold, and explore materials such as paper, spray paint, dry acrylics, and yarns. Falling in love with collage and spray paint, I use these as some of the most vital methods of expression.

 

Recently, my exploration into graphic design keeps me from ever napping. I love how graphic design allows simple yet bold avenues of creations as a functional tool for everyone in society. One day, I hope to combine my skills in both graphic design and fine arts to create artwork that not only influences the viewers’ perspective, but also encourages them to act.