ài,ái 愛,癌
A Study of Wood 木的研究
Polaroid Diary 寶麗來日記
The Stranded Whale 擱淺的鯨魚
Queer Propoganda Poster 酷兒海報
Commissions - 甦 Sū Studio
Writings
Exhibitions/News
CV/Contact
About
A Study of Wood
2022-Ongoing
Inkjet Prints on Wood
In my artistic journey, I've been consistently drawn to themes of vulnerability, acceptance, and the power of the Asian Gay Community and the Fluidity of the Sex Role masculinity stereotype under the Male Gaze from my culture. Specifically, people will not talk about these gender issues from my culture.
In the expansive realm of human experience, my work serves as a canvas upon which the complexities of vulnerability, acceptance, and cultural identity converge. Through my latest project, "A Study of Wood," I embark on an intricate journey to explore the challenges and triumphs of the marginalized Chinese Queer community.
To encapsulate these themes effectively, I utilize the unique technique of transferring digital prints onto reclaimed, sustainable wood. This technique goes beyond aesthetics; it serves a dual purpose of echoing the resilience of the community while also paying homage to our shared responsibility towards the environment. Each piece of wood, often dismissed as imperfect, is carefully selected to represent the unique narratives and struggles within the community. In their supposed imperfections, I find a mirror to the lives they represent—beautiful, complex, and worthy of being seen.
My work is a tapestry of symbols, stories, and mediums, all coming together to construct a complex and intimate dialogue. Each piece is a poetic endeavor to unearth hidden narratives and challenge oppressive discourses, thereby fostering a transformative space for understanding, acceptance, and, most importantly, for the lives that continue to be marginalized.
The tree rings of a tree symbolize the passage of time. By choosing wood that is "young," based on its rings, I introduce a temporal layer to my work. Many in the marginalized Chinese Queer community are young individuals, overlooked yet teeming with potential and voice. Their stories, much like the wood I use, are reclaimed and given space to manifest their inherent beauty and strength.
Vulnerability is often misunderstood as a byword for weakness. I beg to differ. For the Chinese Queer community, vulnerability is not merely an emotional state but a layered socio-cultural condition entwined with cultural norms, familial expectations, and societal exclusion. In my art, vulnerability is reimagined; it becomes a crucible for resilience and strength. By depicting it this way, I aim to challenge the predominant narrative that unjustly equates vulnerability with weakness. Inclusivity and acceptance serve as the pillars upon which my art stands. I strive to present a counter-narrative that challenges the stifling heteronormative structures and traditional Asian beauty norms that cast the Chinese Queer community to the social peripheries. It is not just about representation; it's a transformative endeavor to redefine what acceptance truly means in a society fraught with invisible yet palpable barriers.
The tree is also an enduring symbol in Chinese culture—a testament to resilience, endurance, and adaptability. Just as trees stand tall against the elements, the Chinese Queer community weathers the storm of societal scrutiny and exclusion but never loses its identity or sense of self. The tree, then, is a metaphorical stand-in for this unyielding resilience.