"Southern Bell" by Rachel Kwak, Class of 2021
ARTIST STATEMENT
Growing up Korean American in Texas, Virginia, and Tennessee, there was no denying my noticeably Asian physical features. From my facial structure to the color of my hair and skin, I was almost always the only Asian girl in class. Every immigrant's child knows the struggles of grappling with the inherent duality of identity that immigration poses. Whether it be not being "Asian" enough or not being "American" enough, the "Asian American" identity only got its title until very recently. This painting is a Korean traditional dress (hanbok) with American states (TX, VA, & TN) plastered on the front intentionally placed to look awkward/out of place, yet very stuck to the dress. I wanted to evoke a sense of confusion in navigating a new traditional dress that stands for my Korean American identity.
← "Pocket of Warmth" by Elaine Jiang, Class of 2021