Artist Statement

Social practice is an important foundation to my body of work and to FIG, the feminist collective I am a part of. I want the viewer to understand the monstrosity of chronic pain, and the joy of being a bisexual nonbinary woman. In my most recent body of paintings, I have been delving into my painful battle with endometriosis. I wanted viewers to confront images of disabled and ill bodies to become aware of the medical gaslighting that sufferers experience. The images were seductive, attracting the viewer with vibrant colors, while asking them to engage in a necessary conversation.

My physical body is essential to my performance art. In a performance last fall, I created a tableau of food that I ingested and eventually destroyed by viscerally rolling around. This performance was an allusion to our obsession with Korean and American Mukbang food eating videos. This work was a statement about diabetes, medication, and body image. Beyond reaching those viewers in the gallery, I livestreamed and recorded the event to Instagram. I wanted the performance’s reach to be wide as the drug Ozempic becomes a household name. The absurd, humorous and brazen attempt to prompt discussion around weight loss and emotional gluttony.

I often utilize esoteric principles such as Jungian archetypes, astrology and Tarot when researching imagery and conceptual blueprints for my work. I believe these ancient and mysterious systems of magic can help draw people together. We can better understand ourselves through these symbols of self-identification. I play with references to gender and sexuality, and the work I create is relevant to today’s push and pull obsession with LGBTQ+ issues. I enjoy employing the taboo and provoking the audience with light hearted humor. For this residency, I would be thoughtful of visiting families and the many possible reactions to my work.

I transport my audience by using the shimmering, butter-like qualities of oil paint smeared on canvas. I am studying the Japanese language, and I am influenced by Japanese media and “kawaii”, cute culture. This has led me to explore mixed media and to use stickers and washi tape mixed with oil paint. I am also experimenting with relief printing on fabric, such as on T-shirts, aprons, bags, and more. I enjoy creating unique wearable items. 

I worked at the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum, where I facilitated cultural artistic exchange with crafts and language education. This theme echoes with my desire to connect people and help them communicate their inner world.