Artist Note

My work combines elements from Latin American visual culture with traditional techniques from Oriental Painting, to create a surrealistic otherworldly style. Which is characterized by the use of elements from nature to discuss contemporary social issues.

My paintings are populated by humanoid flowers and animals. Other distinctive elements are fine brushstrokes, the use of color pencils, watercolor, and 여백 yeo-baek, blank negative space, as a composition technique. This is an artistic component that can represent fog, air, water, or become an invitation to project our own experiences between the filled and unfilled space.

Diaspora, identity, colonization, and political conflict are recurrent themes in my work. Yet, I never paint social issues in the literal sense. I use irony and metaphor instead.

I believe empathy arises from story, rather than from discourse. Hence, narrative elements are very important for my work. These are meant to deliver the message as pieces of a puzzle, for the observer to put together.