The 5 in 5 project had its successes and its failures. However, there are certain elements of my work that I am not entirely happy with and feel as if it is not enough, or I didn’t do enough. I soon realize this feeling is very emblematic of my experience of being an Asian American and living on the border. Growing up, I always felt like I needed to do more, or be more.  My persistence to do more, in mind, equates success.

I decided to work on one more project for the 5 in 5 and this is very much in the nature of my overachieving self. I took some inspiration from the previous piece on stereotypes and the perception of Asians in American culture. I wanted to do something that spoke a bit about my background–painting penises.

The Golden Penis

Watercolor and gold leaf on paper | 2018