“Crossed Paths” 24 x 32 inches each. Our art pieces reflect our belief that the world is a complex and multifaceted place, made up of many different pieces that are constantly shifting and evolving. We see ourselves as two distinct fragments, each with our own unique life path and set of experiences. Through our art, we hope to encourage others to embrace the diversity and complexity of the world around us, and to recognize that every individual has a valuable contribution to make in piecing together the larger picture.

“Is it Still Relevant” 

Oil and thread on canvas, 24 x 30 inches (double sided) Trinh and Nancy aim to convey their personal interpretation of the Syrian refugee crisis through their artwork, which is inspired by the documentary "Human Flow" by Ai Wei Wei. The work reflects the path of Syrian refugees through seven countries by land and sea until they reach Germany. The artwork incorporates a double-sided composition, with the front side portraying Syrian traditional patterns amid support from friendly nations. On the other hand, the reverse side uses intertwined threads to represent the harsh realities and challenges of the situation.

“The Fringe of Body”  

We find inspiration in the concept of “smart,” a subculture in Chinese society consists of rural migrant workers born in the late 80s or 90s. Their most prominent features include exaggerated and bizarre hairstyles, shocking and heavy makeup, extremely strong accents, and cheap, imitation clothing. The“Smart” (杀马特) group is primarily concentrated in the service industry, such as hairdressers, restaurant servers, and couriers, in addition to the second industry.” They believed that these hairstyles convey power. 

The Smart reminds us the hairstyle can always present personality and attitude, so we aim to extend this idea to the fringe of the body, where full body hair can be considered our own unique form of fringe. This primal instinct can be traced back to animals, who use their feathers to display their power and allure. Culturally, altering the fringe of the body challenges societal norms and expectations, often associated with subcultures that value individual expression, non-conformity, and rebellion, like the Smart does.

“Irregularity” is an immersive art installation that explores the theme of "fringe in society." The warm-toned yarns are shaped in arches of fringes, creating a sense of coziness and familiarity. The four outlier copper wires represent the fringes in society, and when touched, they trigger changes in the background music.  The installation features four speakers, each with its unique background soundtrack and individual outlier sounds. The microsensors and coding technology make the installation responsive to the audience's touch, creating an ever-evolving audio landscape.  "Irregularity" invites the audience to engage with the concept of marginalization and its impact on society. The installation raises awareness about the existence of fringe communities and the importance of including them in society. The interactive component allows the audience to experience the effects of marginalization firsthand, making the concept more relatable and impactful.

“Radiant Recipes”

Acrylic paint on Canvas, 36 x 48 inches. As a lover of cooking, I find myself drawn to the often-overlooked fringes of foods. While washing vegetables, I can't help but admire the intricate patterns and textures found on their edges. It occurred to me that these fringy parts are actually quite beautiful, yet they are frequently ignored or discarded. Inspired by their unique qualities, I created an art piece that aims to capture the essence of these often-ignored details. Using brush made from real foods such as strawberries, corn, waffles, and broccoli, I carefully imprinted their intricate patterns onto canvas, resulting in a radiant recipe of food patterns that celebrate the beauty of these fringy parts.

“A Critical Point In the Formation”

Ink on vellum mounted on canvas, 44 x 25 x 1 inches. To think on the fringe, is when we try to explain our unique experiences and implicit knowledge, we realize that existing concepts are impossible. This is when we develop a new usage of the language. It is a process of (Word — Experience— Compare). Furthermore, at this status, the fringe is a vague, yet persistent feeling that we have something to say. It's a mixed experience about meeting at a critical point in the formation or collapsing.  

“Absent” 

manipulated inkjet prints, 36 x 25 inches & mounted foamcore. A self portrait printed with inkjet that is manipulated/destroyed. Our eyes can deceive our minds. We see what we want to see. The things we see are what plays with our minds. When we see things that we don’t want to see, we go into a spiral. Being able to see is a luxury. But it can also be a weapon. Our voices are blunt instruments. The words that come out of our mouths can break or heal relationships in an instant. I cannot express how many times a word or a sentence I said has hurt someone but also made someone feel instantly better. The power of words is an incredible thing. Watch what you see and say. It’s a beautiful thing but also a dangerous thing.

“Cardboard Rebuilding” 

inkjet prints on cardboard, 60 x 55 inches. 

The excessive use of packaging of online delivery nowadays and my apathetic attitude towards its disposal inevitably reminds me of the ongoing demolition of the old neighborhoods in Shanghai, colloquially known as “拆迁街道” (chaiqian jiedao) in Chinese, and the adverse impact it has on both our environment and society. Having personally witnessed before the demolition and having captured it through my photography, the texture and color of the old neighborhood has deeply impacted me. Regrettably, the rapid development of the Chinese economy has resulted in the wanton construction and demolition of countless buildings, with the old neighborhoods being treated as mere cardboard boxes, disposed of without a second thought and replaced with new constructions.

“Entanglement”  is a ceramic installation that explores the complex and entangled, the installation consists of a group of ceramic sculpture that symbolizes the struggle of an individual who is trapped in a cycle of emotional implantation and forced acceptance.

The installation consists of a collection of hand-builded ceramic sculptures, each featuring fluid, tentacle-like spines. The sculptures appear simultaneously soft and rigid, embodying the dichotomy of vulnerability and resilience found within the human spirit. This juxtaposition mirrors the artist's fascination with the microscopic world, particularly the unique characteristics of slime molds – organisms that defy traditional classification and exist at the boundaries of the known biological world.

The sculpture is designed to be viewed from multiple perspectives, allowing viewers to experience the complexity and diversity of emotions. The intricate details and patterns on the surface of the sculpture are inspired by the , which highlights microscopic perceptions and unique perspectives.

Through this installation, the artist aims to challenge the viewers' perceptions of emotions and encourage them to embrace the complexity of their feelings. The artwork blurs the boundary between nature and man-made, material and immaterial, just like the boundary between plants and animals in the world of slime molds. The installation invites viewers to contemplate their own emotional entanglements and find a way to classify their emotions, just as slime molds adapt to their environment and survive through collective behavior.

“Identity Portraits 1 and 2”

Mixed media photo collage, 16 x 20 inches each. Taking 'Fringe' to mean the margins of a partiulcar group, and the group  to be society, I set out to make portraits of Black women. Each  participant has two portraits, both photographed in black and white, one  featuring a collage that is representative of the participant's world; their perspective. Prior to each shoot, I  had a conversation with the participant to serve as a guide for later  creating the collage. I asked the question: "What do you think has  shaped the way you move through the world the most?" in an attempt to discover the true essence of their identity. With  Portraits I, the conversation revolved around a love for nature, the  colours yellow and green, and a deep curiosity since childhood. With  Portraits II, cultural roots, learning, achievement, and escaping reality through media.  

I was inspired to approach the portraits this way by early African  rock album artwork that often depicted singers in black and white with a  patterned background in colour. I also looked to the work of collage  artists like Frida Orupabo and Wangechi Mutu, who take images from seemingly disparate sources, combining them to  create a new image that is a cohesive whole, and takes on an interesting  new form.

“Skin Deep” inkjet print 20 x 24 inches. For this image I used two materials to weave the same image to show the contrast in texture. I used fine art paper and matte paper to accentuate different textures in the skin. Weaving the horizontal and vertical strips created the dimension necessary to imitate added layers of skin. After I finished weaving the image, I pulled the tabs to make the image a little distorted to represent the natural imperfections we have. I wanted to focus on mental health and the imperfections we have as humans. Society's expectations cause unnecessary self-criticism that leads people to dissect themselves in unnatural ways. Every human is beautiful just the way they are and when we deconstruct and overanalyze ourselves the stigmas placed on us by others cause us to view ourselves in negative ways. If you are only looking at a person from the outside, you are not really seeing them at all.

Pinned Up, 12 x 18 inches. Using safety pins to reattach the image, this piece represents the healing process of the person. I decided to rip the image the way I did because it takes away three out of five senses and once, they are missing you realize how valuable they are. At the same time, it heightens your use of other senses and allows you to get in touch with pieces of yourself in a more meaningful way. This image is printed on fine art paper to give it the maximum amount of texture while still being able to rip it. I wanted to focus on mental health and the imperfections we have as humans. Society's expectations cause unnecessary self-criticism that leads people to dissect themselves in unnatural ways. Every human is beautiful just the way they are and when we deconstruct and overanalyze ourselves the stigmas placed on us by others cause us to view ourselves in negative ways. If you are only looking at a person from the outside, you are not really seeing them at all.