the new fairy tales
August 5th - September 10th 2023
Fairy tales have long served as a cornerstone of our moral understanding. However, their conservative viewpoints can inadvertently exclude diverse voices and perspectives. Traditional fairy tales often fail to embrace a range of opinions and instead prioritize notions of purity and perfection, disregarding the beautiful tapestry of cultures and experiences. In an attempt to modernize fairy tales and liberate their characters, I infused both Eastern and Western tales with vibrant colors. These colorful protagonists boldly reclaim their autonomy from the confines of conservative narratives, inviting viewers of all backgrounds to find themselves reflected in the stories.
The Opening
August 4th, 6 PM to 8 PM
Meet the Artist
August 5th, 2PM to 5 PM
Looking at You
2022, 33.3cm x 33.3cm, colored pencils on panel
Through my art, I strive to challenge the traditional narratives that have dominated the portrayal of women, inviting viewers to recognize the strength and agency of female characters. The powerful gazes of my subjects not only liberate them but prompt a reflection on your own beliefs and biases.
Artist
2022, 60.6cm x50cm, colored pencils on panel
Art has liberated me from the suffocating grip of judgment, allowing me to share my innermost thoughts and emotions. As an artist, I now find joy in capturing people’s attention through my artwork. Like sticky tentacles, my creations grab hold of your gaze, and I indulge in a visual feast.
Medusa
2023, 41cm x41cm, colored pencils on panel
While countless artworks portray Medusa as a symbol of evil, her hidden emotions remain untold in mythology. I sought to capture her struggle to accept her unusual appearance after being cursed by Athena, uncovering her humanity. Despite the spell that gave her serpentine hair, her resilience makes Medusa a uniquely magical being.
Oni
2023, 41cm x 31.8cm, mixed media on canvas
In Japanese fairy tales, the Oni is often depicted as a menacing monster, reflecting a one-sided perspective that solely focuses on human interests. To overcome such cycles of prejudice, both in the mythical and real worlds, we must open our eyes, practice empathy, and seek genuine understanding.
Adolescent
2023, 45.5cm x 38cm, mixed media on canvas
In fairy tales and in society, youth is celebrated yet exploited. I fear that as girls like me grow older, we’ll be forgotten like discarded toys. To combat these harmful thoughts, I embrace my imperfections, repair my toys, and stitch my scars with self-love and acceptance.
Peter Pan
2022, 60.6cm x 45.5cm, colored pencils on panel
In moments of darkness and depression, I escape into a hidden world behind my eyelids, my personal "Neverland." Here, I repair my wings, waiting for my courage to transform me like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. And when the time comes, I return to reality, knowing that my wings are delicate but resilient.
Forget-me-not
2019, 60 cm x 45 cm, colored pencils on canvas
My grandfather had always been a cherished presence in my childhood, but as he grew older, Alzheimer’s took hold of him. In a moment that shook me to the core, he asked, “Who are you?” It was a heartbreaking realization that, in his mind, I ceased to exist. Yet my love for him remains eternal, kept alive within my treasured memories.
Sleepy Hollow
2023, 53cm x 45.5cm, mixed media on canvas
Like the headless ghosts of Sleepy Hollow, I often feel like a monster in search of their missing head. I replace my head in an attempt to be better, yet perfection eludes me. “This head is too selfish, too obedient, too unstable, too dependent…”
distant flowers collection
As I prepared to leave, I placed a flower vase by his window with a tulip nestled within.
As the days passed, the tulips wilted, leaving one petal clinging on.
It mirrored my distant longing to hold on. Each petal’s release hinted at our potential end.
But then he surprised me with an Anthurium, a white bloom, casting moonlit hope upon our path.
The future remains uncertain, but I am hopeful for what our next flower could be.
