Ethnically Chinese. Parents first generation immigrants in North America. Born in New Zealand. Raised in Singapore. Living in Australia. A Third Culture Kid - an individual raised in a culture other than their parents’ or the culture of their nationality.

I am lucky to be made up of so many cultures, yet it seems that my accent, my appearance, my place of birth, and my country of residence are incongruent; and my interactions with those around me make it clear that no matter where I go, I will never belong.

Not Chinese enough.

Not Western enough.

This piece reflects this dichotomy between the many cultures that make up who I am - visually represented by the juxtaposition between the patterns, lighting and the subject. There is harsh warm toned lighting falling on the figure, contrasted by the cool shadows approaching from the other direction. Against a regularly geometric background, the subject has been placed in a traditional Chinese dress, a Qi Pao with an organic floral pattern, and this has been covered by a modern pink jacket.