HOME - 家
[We All Deserve a Place to Rest] is a mixed-media installation project that combines prints and paintings with site-specific installations to reflect the meaning of home and advocate for housing justice.
Home Altar [Ode to Monica]
Mixed media assemblage, 56” x 67” x 21.5”, 2024
Reflecting my Japanese and Filipino ancestry, alongside Buddhist and Catholic traditions, this piece explores the rich cultural diversity found within my family and the Bay Area.
At its heart lies a tribute to my friend Monica Hastings Smith, a luminary figure celebrated for her magical superpowers and contributions to drumline composition, musical performance, teaching, and community leadership.
Ode to Monica
Mixed media assemblage, 15” x 24” x 4”
In this assemblage piece, I work to capture the essence of the late Monica Hastings Smith's transformative influence — a driving force for positive change, a rallying cry for justice, and a guardian of the communal spirit. The mix of materials and elements within the artwork mirror the layers of Monica's impact, celebrating her legacy as a catalyst for unity, resilience, and social transformation.
Home
Mixed media monoprint, 18” x 24”, 2024
This work revisits a childhood memory rooted in San Francisco’s Western Addition in the late 1960s, when our family’s Victorian flat was destroyed by fire. We were often left alone while our mother worked—my eldest brother, only five years old at the time, was responsible for watching over us. One day, a toy rolled under his bed; he lit a candle to retrieve it, and the flame quickly engulfed the home. The image reflects the fragility of domestic life, especially for working-class families, and the profound ways early experiences shape who we become. My brother survived and eventually became a firefighter—a quiet, full-circle gesture of responsibility and healing.
Acrylic paints in vivid neon colors forms the foundation of the print, evoking both the chaos of the fire and the surreal quality of memory. Over this electric background, a stark black screen-printed silhouette of a small boy stands in front of the burned-out flat—a haunting, iconic figure suspended between innocence and catastrophe.
Court Ordered [Weekends in the Excelsior]
Mixed media monoprint, 18” x 24”, 2024
Set against the soft pink hues of twilight skies, three yellow stars symbolize childhood dreams and aspirations. At the center of the artwork, depicts the bond between two siblings as they pose in the Excelsior District of San Francisco. Amidst the innocence, a somber presence emerges – a court order, its official seal from the superior court of San Francisco casting a shadow. This contrast serves as a reminder of the complexities within familial relationships.
Whispers of Departure
Mixed media monoprint, 18” x 24”, 2024
"Whispers of Departure" is a mixed media monoprint that serves as a visual commentary on the tumultuous journey of Akihiko Ogata. Stark black screen-printing contrasts with splashes of neon acrylic paint, symbolizing his struggle between tradition and modernity. Urban landscapes merge with rural scenes, representing Akihiko's passage through time and space. Emerging from a tunnel, he symbolizes a transition into a past where he was in his prime. Through this piece, I explore themes of home, family expectations, personal aspirations, and the presence of memory.
Permanent Resident
Mixed media monoprint, 24” x 18”, 2024
Reimagining an old Japanese passport, replacing the traditional photograph with a powerful depiction of a young woman carrying a symbolic samurai sword. Set against a backdrop of teal blue and sepia, the composition symbolizes the resilience and hope of Japanese immigrants during the late 1950s. Teal represents the journey toward a new beginning, while sepia adds historical depth, evoking nostalgia and connecting the artwork to the challenges faced by individuals in that era.
The Chronicles of Home
Diptych, Acrylic on birch panels, 12” x 48” x 1.75” each, 2024
This two-panel work explores the fragility and resilience of home.
Left Panel: Resilience reflects a childhood memory of a house fire sparked by innocence and misadventure, set against the haunting image of a burned-out Victorian flat.
Right Panel: Empowering Heights honors Mrs. Lee, a Chinatown housing activist who fought for safety and dignity in public housing during the 1970s. A reimagined portrait of her with a bullhorn stands as a symbol of community strength.
Dripping circles across both panels echo the passage of time and the echoes of memory.
The Ping
The Ping, 30" x 40", acrylic on cradled birch panel, 2023
At the Ping Yuen Housing Projects, layers of graffiti, paint, and urban grime permitted it’s grounds. This work is a snapshot into the life of a young girl’s daydreams, bathed in soft light and adorned with neon, offering a sanctuary of peace and a testament to the transformative power of imagination.