This is a painting of me wearing a Huanhuan mask underwater.
Huanhuan was one of the four faces of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport. The firery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals--with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs.
China chose this face to present to the world.
This painting is a type of self portrait with me reflecting on China and what it means to take on different roles and identities.
Just as a face can either be used to express and communicate or conceal and deceive, a mask too can both conceal and reveal. A mask can hide the wearer, disguise true identity or create a barrier. But as well it can facilitate communication by simplifying and highighting features and characteristics in a symbolic way, thereby defining roles or creating a new identity. The choice of mask may also reveal a lot about the intentions and perceptions of the wearer.
The exact line between concealment and revelation must be negotiated by both the wearer and the viewer.
Viewing things things from alternative perspectives and looking 'beneath the surface' has been a common thread in my practice.
My mask paintings can be hung individually, and also look good grouped with other of the mask paintings.