My work is inspired by Animism. In my work, I weave personal family history and narratives to social and political issues to express themes of alienation, suppression and hope for growth.

 

Growing up as a Chinese immigrant whose parents are from the valleys of Shan hills of Myanmar, the animistic beliefs of the hill tribes along with ancient Chinese practices colored my childhood.

My interest in Animism began when I began to think about my Chinese name “樹花”, which translates “Tree Flower”. It is a strange name with a strange origin that ties to a tree and a well in my paternal grandparents’ house in Lashio whom were named as my godmothers when I was young. The idea of having non-human as godmother fascinates me and is the origin of my practice.

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Artmaking to me, is an ontological quest. I explore the nature of beings by attempting to depict the ephemerality of the human condition. Condensation and displacement of desires, tender affections, spiritual hopes and gender conflicts are intimated with metaphors and symbols of natures' cyclical growth decay and death.

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Through exploring the otherness within the self, I strive to create enigmatic being, fragmented and dislocated, in search and in transition, captured in a moment of growth and transformation.

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