EXPRESSION ART
Title: Content
(Available) | 60X48in | Acrylic On Canvas, Resin varnish | 2024
In ‘Content’, I wanted to create a gentle reminder of self-worth and the quiet potential for change. The gold origami swan became the central figure for this, its color chosen to represent value—not just monetary, but a deeper, personal worth. I hoped that people might see themselves in the swan, that it could serve as a kind of reflection.
As for the cage surrounding the swan, I chose to keep its boundaries ambiguous. Perhaps it’s a place of comfort, a familiar enclosure that feels safe, or maybe it holds the swan back from reaching further. I left the cage open to interpretation because, sometimes, we find ourselves in situations where it’s hard to tell if our surroundings are supportive or stifling. Is the cage an invitation to stay, or a reminder to break free?
Painting ‘Content’ was my way of asking: when does comfort become limitation? And does the swan even need to leave the cage to find meaning, or is it already fulfilled within its space?
Title: Unwavering
(Available) | 60X48in | Acrylic On Canvas, Resin varnish | 2024
In ‘Unwavering’, I aimed to create a piece that unsettles at first glance, drawing the viewer into a sense of tension and urgency. The red background sets a deliberately jarring tone, while the extreme perspective amplifies this feeling, almost as if the scene itself is in motion. I wanted the painting to feel fast, capturing the essence of a split-second decision—a leap into the unknown.
Here, the familiar golden origami swan reappears, but unlike in ‘Content’, it’s now diving downward, headfirst into what seems like a bottomless cage. This downward plunge invites questions: Why would the swan choose to dive into uncertainty, into a space where there’s no clear escape? The piece is meant to reflect those challenging choices we face—the ones that may lead to profound growth or daunting failure. I wanted to explore the allure of risking comfort for the possibility of something greater, even when the outcome remains unknown. ‘Unwavering’ is about that moment of decision, where courage and doubt collide in a search for meaning.
Title: Smiley
(Available) | 36x48in | Acrylic On Canvas, Resin varnish | 2024
In ‘Smiley’, I delved into the theme of mortality—a contemplation that began to surface in my 30s and feels, for many, unavoidable at this stage of life. In our 20s, we often move through life with a sense of boundless energy, immersing ourselves in new experiences, relationships, and pursuits, almost as if life itself is endless. However, as we enter our 30s, that illusion begins to fade. Health issues arise, relationships evolve or end, family dynamics shift, and the aging of loved ones serves as a reminder of life’s fragility. These realizations can be sobering, sometimes even unsettling, as we come to terms with our own mortality.
In ‘Smiley’, I portrayed a yellow face wearing a subtle expression of worry, intended to reflect this growing awareness and the unease that can accompany it. Behind this face, a blue skull hovers closely, embodying the inescapable presence of mortality, ever curious and quietly watching. I wanted the piece to feel charged, balancing between the energy of life and the looming acknowledgment of its limits. The proximity of the skull raises a question: do we meet this awareness with grace or with fear?
‘Smiley’ is my way of inviting viewers to reflect on these questions—whether to live in the shadow of what is inevitable, or to embrace each moment fully, aware yet unburdened.