Artist Statement
In Her Silence
To be a woman is to be bound by threads of expectation, woven tightly by
family and society. To be a woman is to navigate a life where invisible
constraints press in at every stage, shaping choices and limiting potential.
This illustrated series portrays these restrictions as they manifest across the
phases of a woman’s life—from childhood through old age.
The series draws on symbols like dresses, veils, hand holding, tugging, and
restraining. Each piece presents a scene: a young girl barred from play, a
woman held back during a job interview, a mother isolated from social life,
and an elderly woman neglected by her family. My goal is to show that these
limitations accumulate over time, restricting individuality and self-expression.
I chose to work on canvas using traditional Chinese Xuan paper and nails to
reinforce the sense of boundaries. The xuan paper connects to my cultural
heritage, while the nails visibly hold the women in place, emphasizing the
physical and emotional constraints place upon them. These materials reflect
the tension and resilience of Chinese women, and all women, as they
navigate external constraints while holding an inner drive to achieve
liberation.
This series invites viewers to reflect on the hidden forces shaping women’s
lives and the universal but often invisible costs of gendered expectations.