2020 – 2023
Asian Culture
Celebration
"Culture Celebration" is an ongoing series that highlights women from diverse cultures adorned in their traditional attire. As a Vietnamese artist with Chinese heritage, I have grown to appreciate the richness of my identity and strive to deepen my understanding of various cultures. Through the "Asian Culture Celebration" series, my aim is to provide a platform for individuals to rejoice in their cultural heritage and pay homage to their forebears.
Vietnam
The Vietnamese zodiac features the Cat as the fourth animal, not the Rabbit, and it is believed to embody qualities such as intelligence, gracefulness, and affection.
Inspired by the Vietnamese proverb “thương người như thể thương thân,” love others like you love yourself, I illustrated what it looks like to love each other despite our differences: two women appreciate and respect one another’s presence while embracing and loving their own individuality.
Sometimes, love can look like loudly cheering a friend on or silently encouraging them from afar.
The Vietnamese market holds great significance as it is not just a trading hub but also a social hub for locals to gather, socialize and catch up with each other.
The artwork "Vietnamese Women" features three women dressed in traditional Vietnamese attire.
The woman on the left wears the classic áo dài, while the one in the middle showcases the áo giao lĩnh, which is one of the most enduring and widely recognized dress styles in Vietnamese history, and the woman on the right is seen wearing a contemporary áo dài with exquisite embroidered embellishments.
China
石狮
A Chinese woman wearing a Cheongsam stands at a window, gazing outside. In front of the house, a pair of Chinese stone lions (石狮) are placed, believed to safeguard the household and bring good fortune.
Korea
Maria Clara Dress
Philippines
The dress takes its name from Maria Clara, the mestiza protagonist of the national novel, Noli Me Tangere, authored by Jose Rizal. In the novel, Rizal portrays her as the epitome of "the purity and innocence of a sheltered native (Filipino) woman during the Spanish occupation."
Unfortunately, Maria Clara's characterization perpetuated a stereotype that Filipinas should be modest and conservative in clothing and behavior, as imposed by the Spaniards who colonized them for 333 years. The Spaniards' ideal woman was expected to be religious, submissive, and obedient. However, many Filipinas were actively involved in the revolution during the Spanish occupation, defying this stereotype.
India
Japan
The kimono is a traditional Japanese garment and the national dress of Japan. It is also a symbol of longevity and good fortune.
