Encounters (2020-22)

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​From 2020-2022, we encountered several important and critical events including the global pandemic, Black Life Matters and the political/social justice. I felt anxious about the situation and uncertainty towards the future. This series of work in charcoal and ink expressed my concerns and desires for equity, cultural diversity and unity during that difficult time.

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The inspiration for this body of work came from my stay-at-home life experience which created physical and psychological challenges for individuals and families. I continued using longhair in figurative and portraiture formats to record growth and change over time as well as commenting on experiences associated with these events. During the pandemic lock-down, many people let their hair and beard grow longer enough to serve as masks or wrapped scarfs. To me, this hairdo became a new icon of 2020. Even though we had to keep social distancing, there were strong needs for inner connection and love such as in many virtual ways like tree roots.

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I had also practiced more meditation in order to help me focus and readjust to this surreal experience. Finding a balance between highs and lows is as equally important as reset the priority in life. The revolutionary movements and demonstrations for social justice, such as Black Lives Matter movement, reminded me of the iconic Chinese revolutionary imagery of the upraised fist which I used to express my “solidarity” with BLM.