The Field of Dreams

During my childhood, particularly in the fall season, I would sit on the balcony of my house, eating snacks and watching the sunset paint the sky. During the bird migration season, a huge flock of birds would fly in a very interesting rhythm, as if dancing in the sky, before making their stop on rooftops in my balcony view. This stirred a curiosity within me about their nomadic existence— journeying to new destinations and sights without a permanent home. Later, I moved to San Diego for college and often got reminded how, for me, it’s a new place, a fresh start, while for others, this city is their only home filled with lifelong memories. These reflections recently came back to surface as I am once again preparing to move to a different city, and I was inspired to create 'The Field of Dreams'. Migrating birds— constantly moving, exploring new horizons, yet carrying ‘home’ within. It’s a tribute to the beauty of new places, the excitement of new beginnings, and the bittersweet farewells that come with each transition.

Midnight Mist

“Midnight Mist” emerged from a memory long held—a piece of the past, rendered in the colors of the present. When I was 3 in 2002, my parents took me on my first international trip to South Africa. I got to celebrate my fourth birthday during this trip. While specific details have faded from my memory over time, certain images have stayed with me with vivid clarity. I remember we took a short road trip to Johannesburg, and we stopped by the hills along a highway near Durban under a dark blue sunset. This memory resurfaced recently in 2023 during my commute back home as I encountered a misty and freezing cold dark blue sunset—reminding me of the evening from when I was 4. I was able to breathe new life into an unfinished artwork with a combination of these images, which I had previously started in 2020 with a similar theme. It seems it was waiting for the final breath of inspiration. The silhouettes of the hills by a bright lake— “Midnight Mist” was the final result, an artwork two decades in the making.

Midday

Transitioning into early adulthood, I spent four years in San Diego, California. Often, on my afternoon walks, I found myself captivated by the way buildings reflected the mid-afternoon sunlight, their silhouettes casting long shadows under the clear blue sky. There was a particular kind of warmth in the sunlight, a texture to the summer breeze, and a sense of stillness amidst the city’s hustle. I miss my time in San Diego, yet I feel the same warmth every now and then. Inspired to capture this feeling, “Midday” is my visual interpretation of moments under the warm sunlight.

Whispers of Light

As a child, I lived very close to a park where I found escape from the everyday stresses of schoolwork. As the years passed, I relocated and didn’t have much natural escape. I am a workaholic, but it comes with a toll— burnout. When the lockdown measures were implemented in March 2020, I was already struggling with burnout from work and creative pursuits. At the time, I lived in an apartment in downtown San Diego, and my view was blocked by tall city buildings. I was terrified of catching the COVID-19 virus, so I kept myself quarantined for nearly four months. All this time, I lived isolated, in shadows with no direct sunlight during the day; and at night, the street lights were so bright that I could barely sleep without darkness. Overall, I was extremely unhappy and uninspired. Later, I relocated to the east coast. I used to put on my AirPods and go for long walks in the woods every day for several months. This ritual became essential for my self-care. “Whispers of Light” is a tribute to the power of nature. Old trees that have stayed resilient in all kinds of weather— reflected my own tenacity to help me rediscover my strengths.

404

Growing up in the 2000s, PC computers & the internet felt like a ‘place’ I visited every day. This digital space seemed like a world that existed beyond physical space. Whenever I heard the sound of dial-up internet, I felt I was traveling into a whole new world. Fast forward to now, digital technology is present in our lives more than ever, and the prospect of artificial intelligence holding consciousness is no longer just science fiction. My artwork "404" captures the evolution of technology— traveling across the infinite expanse of cyberspace, from binary green grid lines of early computers to the sphere of digital consciousness at the center. I made this artwork as a reflection on our past relationship with technology, as we continue to navigate a future increasingly reliant upon it.

Cosmic Reflection

As a 13-year-old in 2011, I watched fireworks from an airplane window during landing. The memory of this sight stayed with me for years, resurfacing in 2018 when I watched the Perseid meteor shower on my 20th birthday. As meteors streaked across the night sky, they reminded me of the fireworks I had seen from the airplane window, leaving me struck by the idea that magical moments could quickly go unnoticed in the blink of an eye, if we don't pay attention to them. "Cosmic Reflection" depicts a comet flying over water in a starry night sky, and captures the feeling that magical moments that are often overlooked can bring wonder to our lives.

Way to Elsewhere

When I was a kid, I used to go out with my parents on most weekends. One of our regular stops was a golf club, where I was particularly fond of the food. We often visited in the afternoon, and on the way there, I was always struck by the super bright sun and lush greenery. Recently, this memory was rekindled during a drive through the center of O'ahu, Hawaii. I took hundreds of photos along the route, but no amount of photos could fully capture its beauty. This experience inspired me to create "Way to Elsewhere.” It depicts a road leading to a rainbow with a bright light at its end. I wanted to convey the idea that the rainbow is like a beacon, promising a pot of gold that remains just out of reach. However, the journey towards that pot of gold holds its own rewards and experiences that are worth seeking— the joy in the pursuit itself.

Sunrise Symphony

The inspiration behind "Sunrise Symphony" is rooted in my childhood memories of watching videos of people visiting the Himalayas mountains. I was mesmerized by the quietness of the atmosphere, and the distant echoes of birds that could be heard amidst the silence. Recently, during a trip to a state park in Nevada, I was reminded of this grandeur of nature and the inner peace it can evoke. With this artwork, I wanted to capture the same essence; the crescent moon adds a magical aura to the scene, elevating it to a realm of wonder and enchantment.

Serenity of Sound

I was inspired to create “Serenity of Sound” from a vivid memory of a breathtaking sunrise. Recently, while taking a morning walk with my puppy, the memory was rekindled. I imagined someone on a remote, quiet island watching the sunrise at the same time. Capturing the vibrant colors of the dawn, the artwork aims to transport the viewer to this idyllic scene, where the worries of the world dissolve, and all that is left is a tranquil breeze.