Artist Statement

I entered the world of art when I started a new life in Canada as an immigrant. I realized that the depression and discomfort I first experienced in a foreign country was far greater than the momentary pleasant surprise I experienced as a young heart. Art became the basic weapon I used to overcome the fear that came from existing in an unknown world. I also used art to release and express my emotions and ideas. First I questioned my existence as a foreigner and wondered what my new role in this society was. My self image as a girl, daughter and woman became the main focus of self examination. Then I came to realize that the confusion surrounding my identity extended to the common issues of woman's role today in society as well. During the process of examining myself in terms of being a woman, I found myself in the middle of the conflict between body and spirit, which inspired me to explore this relationship. The "body" in my sculpture was often presented as a barrier or obstacle to the "spirit" and occasionally represented by shapes of roosters and cows, with the intention of revealing the preconceived view of woman in society. However, through my evolution as a woman, it was more and more clear that the body and spirit are intertwined and inseparable and it is impossible to view one without the other. As my idea of body and mind evolved in art, I created an image of an integrated human form. In this image, the body transcends its traditional physical form by opening up the inner world. Instead of body being a barrier to the spirit, it is now portrayed as an ultimate door. The body becomes the direct path to its spirit.