'Deja vu'

Acrylic/Oil on Canvas

 60 x 96 inch

2021

The Story Behind the Painting

This piece is a deeply personal reflection on family, migration, and the beautiful, complex reality of raising children between cultures. My sons and two daughters are growing up with a childhood vastly different from my own. My aim with this painting was to capture their boundless energy and natural curiosity, while honoring the rich tapestry of their heritage.

Through a blend of figuration and landscape, I wanted to dissolve the boundaries between reality and imagination. The composition acts as a visual map of our family's identity, merging the diverse cultural threads that make up my children’s world—specifically their Chinese and Canadian heritage.

A Map of Our Homes

The painting is anchored by a transparent, glass-like structure that creates a window into different realms of memory and place:

• The Center: Look closely at the center of the canvas, where the urban skyline and traditional architecture blend into the clouds. This is where I am from—Chengdu, China. It represents the roots, history, and ancestral home that I carry with me.

• The Right Side: On the right, you will see the distinct, bright pink bridges. These are the bridges of Saskatoon, the city where I currently live with my family. This represents our present, our daily reality, and the new home we are building together.

• The Figures: The children in the painting are depicted climbing, resting, and exploring the surreal landscapes. They are moving seamlessly between these two worlds, acting as the bridge between my past and their future.

These two places—Chengdu and Saskatoon—are the anchors of my life. This painting is a love letter to my children, celebrating the unique, dual-homeland reality they navigate every day. It is a testament to the idea that home is not just one place, but a feeling we carry within us, woven together by the people we love.