Sculptures

MOBILE HOME

2021
clothing hangers, nostalgic found objects

A project from last spring where I took bits and pieces from my childhood bedroom to create a mobile that I could take wherever moved. My intention here was to be able to take symbols of my roots, and add onto the mobile as I live and grow, wherever I go, so as not to forget where I came from. Constructed of reused coat hangers, and symbols of memories.

I made this when I went home to San Francisco for the first time since pre-covid. Going back to my bedroom where the past versions of myself grew and hurt in, it was a lot, especially since I didn’t recognize who I used to be anymore. I came back to a changed San Francisco, where my favorite sanctuaries could no longer afford rent, where my dog was no longer, and as my family discussed moving away after selling my childhood home. It made me want to desperately cling onto any remnants I had of familiar comforts and relive the good ol days.

Except those “good ol days” never existed, because all my past selves wanted to be where I’m at now. And if I wanted to relive my past, I can’t do that without being my old self too. And that’s not happening.

So as SF changes, so do I. And as it grows, I too will find new connections, new loves, and new homes. Because what is home if not a feeling?

Angel Mace

mace, rhinestones, glass beads, stainless steel - 2021

Click here for press article
In a moment of fear, I created Angel Mace.
Growing up in San Francisco as an Asian woman, I always felt safe... kinda. I felt safe because there were enough people who looked like me that I could camouflage behind. This is how my family survived as immigrants. Keep your head low and don’t stir up trouble, otherwise you will be seen and targeted. But given recent AAPI hate crimes (a lot of them being in my hometown), it’s clear to me that passivity doesn’t protect you and it never did.
My safety and livelihood will no longer be contingent on the ego of white supremacists. Whether or not I get to commute safely will no longer be contingent on how much self hatred others project onto me.
My family immigrated to give me a better life, and with the platform they made possible, I refuse to stay quiet. MY PARENTS HAVE WORKED WAY TOO HARD FOR ME TO CONTINUE THE CYCLE OF THEIR HURT. I WILL NOT MAKE MYSELF SMALL FOR THE COMFORT OF A SOCIETY THAT DOESN’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT ME OR MY COMMUNITY. FUCK YOU. TOUCH ME AND I WILL KILL YOU.