Planted

Planted (2024) was accepted in the 23rd Japan International Art Exchange Exhibition (2024) at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, curated by Julienne Johnson, and in the corporate collection of YUGEN GAISHA SHINMIN GAROU. This piece is my most debated piece. Before reading on, scroll down to take a moment to view and reflect on it. What does the art piece convey to you?

…

From my American audience overall, 75% of the feedback offer the interpretation of the tree is struggling in fire and blood that are destroying the roots. But they’re puzzled by why the tree is thriving, and they don’t know what to make of the small, yellow square. 25% of the feedback offer the interpretation of the tree is planted in grace, glory, and goodness. They perceive the red as sacrificial blood. The roots are digging deep and intertwining through the grace. That’s why the tree is thriving. The yellow in the background convey the tree is growing in glory, and the yellow square is hint of divinity in the grace. The latter interpretation is the intent of the piece.

Planted is my reflection on Psalm 92:12-15. It’s interesting to receive people’s responses and dialogue with them on how they processed the piece and came to their interpretation of it. The main part of this project is to showcase it in Tokyo, so I am interested in the responses of the Japanese audience. I look forward to the engagement and dialogue.

Media: charcoal, ink, acrylic, color pencil on oak wood.