Desmond Mah

Oct 29

Written By Karen

Australia

Now M Carries That Stone Too

oil paint, synthetic polymer, pandanus, curry powder, lychee, soya sauce, bubble tea, eucalyptus extract and stickers on board (diptych) with various mechanical components

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian communities across the globe faced discrimination; loosely othering the eating habits and appearances. During her recess break, my nine-year-old Australian-born daughter had a peer verbally demonise her; “Your family has the Wuhan virus, and you eat your own pet!” . Unafraid, she stood her ground and called out his racist remark.

This contemporary painting depicts my daughter ‘M’ as a monster with her three undead guinea pigs, sipping bubble tea in defiance against racism. This monster is my hero. By utilising a vast array of artistic materials, including flora, moving mechanical components and a culinary palette, I draw upon ideas of home and the videogame Minecraft, in which ‘M’ battles marauding monsters. With familiar scents and animated breathing, the monster seeks a momentary connection and shared cultural experience with the audience—to counter discrimination and unprovoked violence targeted against global Asian diaspora.

BACK TO COMPETITION

Karen

Siyao Lu

I Made Muliana a.k.a. Bayak

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