2024

Medibang Paint; Chinese ink on paper; Ceramic clay, ceramic glaze

8.27 inches x 11.69 inches; 6.5 inches x 6.5 inches x 6 inches

This series of three works stems from my study and reflection on Indigenous cultures. Inspired by the Aztec death whistle, I combine ceramic forms with black-and-white ink washes in a style informed by Chinese aesthetics, creating a dialogue between two ancient civilizations. The ceramic whistles are shaped as the heads of children afflicted by smallpox, symbolizing the irreparable devastation brought to Indigenous peoples by European diseases during the colonial era. The ink washes extend this narrative, evoking the resilience and unbroken spirit of Indigenous communities after such trauma. The open-mouthed face, as if blowing the whistles, resonate as cries and accusations from deep history, urging us to listen to the voices that have been forgotten.