This collection delves into the ethereal realms of butterflies, imagination, and illusion. It inspired from Zhuang Zhou's dream of being a butterfly, only to awaken unsure if he was a man who dreamt of being a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming of being a man, which is a Chinese philosophical argument by Zhuangzi. I employ the traditional Chinese Xieyi painting technique to capture the illusion essence of butterflies, then intricately sew these butterflies onto canvas using red threads. This act of sewing not only binds the imagination and reality elements together but also reveals an interconnected web on the surface, symbolizing the ever-changing and multifaceted nature of the self. The red threads and their interwoven paths reflect the protean and unpredictable face of identity, constantly in flux and redefinition.
Through my work, I aim to invite viewers into a conversation about the fluidity of reality and the many faces we wear, encouraging a deeper exploration of their own identities and perceptions.
Butterflies I , 2023
Ink, Chinese rice paper, Chinese watercolor, red threads, gold leaf
Butterflies II , 2023
Ink, Chinese rice paper, Chinese watercolor, red threads, gold leaf