Forever enthralled, 2023
acrylic, chinese ink, mixed media, xuan paper, bamboo
(H) 93 x (W) 40 x (D) 17 cm

"Forever Enthralled" is an act of defiance and self-acceptance. This self-portrait captures a burst of laughter, aimed directly at the bigoted words that linger within—manifested as a chaotic burst of laughing emojis spilling from my open mouth. The laughter echoes the sentiment often attributed to Kurt Cobain: “They laugh at me because I'm different; I laugh at them because they're all the same.” In reclaiming my individuality in the face of judgment, the work asserts strength in difference. A googly-eyed rock meets the viewer’s gaze with a whimsical yet unwavering presence, while an unexpected mouse—an agent of anxiety—intrudes uninvited, heightening the tension between amusement and unease. Through this interplay, the piece uses the power of laughter as a response to prejudice.