Description
‘Translucency’ by Jessica So Ren Tang
Artist: Jessica So Ren Tang
Title: ‘Translucency’
Medium: Hand embroidery and acrylic on organza
Dimensions: 8″ x 8″
Framing: Framed (frame size: 12″ x 12″)
Year of Creation: 2022
About the Artwork:
Something that is translucent allows some, but not all, light to pass through it. Something that is transparent allows all light to pass through it. The translucency of organza and the two figures are combined to suggest the nature of their relationship, perhaps hinting that the connection is as transparent as the organza. Separated by layers but framed by transparent acrylic, the connection between the figures and peonies contrast with the connection between the materials.
About the Artist:
(Artist Bio)
Born and raised in San Francisco, Jessica So Ren Tang received her BA in Studio Art at mills College in Oakland in 2013. Inspired by her identity as a Chinese American woman, she creates embroideries that reference Asian patterns and objects from her childhood.
(Artist Statement)
Embroidery is versatile in mimicking the original object in shape and design but still distinct enough to be recognized as something else. The stitches are soft but substantial, more tangible.
With embroidery, I explore my Asian-American born identity-the dualism of being too Asian to be American, and too American to be Asian.
In my object series, I recreate familiar Asian American objects that take on the visual identity of the original object but reject said identity due to its material.
In my girl series, I replace the facial identity of suggestively posed Asian women with Asian textile patterns. The patterned skin creates a broader spectrum of Asian identity; it becomes more ambiguous and fluid as identity moves between the two.