Over the past four years, my relationship with America has changed from a smooth sailing wave to a tsunami-like one. I chose to use the Great Wave motif for two reasons. One, I wanted to use the wave metaphor because my relationship with America has been very up and down: fluctuating between appreciating the freedom and opportunity while at the same time being reminded of the injustice around me.

 

The deliberate choice behind using imagery from the Great Wave of Kanagawa has two interpretations that are equally important to me. One being that taking Japanese art for a piece about America represents American history of colonization and appropriation. However, taking imagery and giving it a new meaning represents the empowerment that comes with reclaiming something that was used to oppress you.

 

America means flawed and impossible standards: whether it be institutionalized racism, dangerous beauty standards, or the growing chasm that is the wealth gap. However, America is also recognizing this and working to change this for the good of all people.

 

I tried to incorporate by making a wave out of headlines, but like most waves, they can be ridden. We can be the change we want to see in the world. The use of collage and surreal images show the ridiculousness of standards and the text shown throughout the canvas represents the realism that ultimately has to ground our idealism. The color scheme of red, white, and blue mimic the American flag while also bringing vibrancy and attention to the important parts of the piece.