Reflection

Reflection

I took inspiration from traditional Chinese paintings of mountains, the phoenix, plum blossoms and patterns for this piece because they represent very important parts of Chinese culture. I also knew I wanted to do mixed media with several components, to really bring out what's happening in nature. Nature was seen by Chinese people as harmonious and sacred. In the foreground, fire burns through the tapestry of a Chinese painting depicting nature, resembling how wildfires are destroying the environment. I burned the canvas that led up from the fire to make it have a more realistic and literal effect. In Chinese culture, the phoenix symbolizes rebirth and hope, which is why I had it appear like it was rising from the fire. Plum blossoms symbolize resilience, and the clouds receding behind them shows how a storm of hardships is passing. The multiple layers bring about a feeling of ruin and chaos in the foreground but order and rebirth in the background. Mountains extending off the painting symbolize how these problems aren’t just happening in the tapestry but also in the real world, affecting many people. This includes my family: we often enjoy going on walks in nature, but with so many wildfires it’s becoming increasingly difficult to enjoy. My hope is that other people see my art and think about how their own experiences and heritage are being impacted.