Artist statement:

Thicker Than Water was created during a traditional drawing class at MCAD where I was focused on body anatomy and perspective. I was inspired by a photograph of family relatives on my father’s side. The phrase “thicker than water” is a repeated mantra in my work involving sibling relationships. It questions the strength and quality of the familial relationships we are taught to protect even when they so seem to be deteriorating. In this piece, book repair tape and book thread hold together sheets of crumpled cotton paper, portraying an image of three siblings who are detached from each other and their surroundings.

The boy figure on the left, my uncle, holds a gun to the viewer but is looking to the side.

The second boy figure in the center, my uncle, stands meekly but aware of the viewer.

The girl figure on the right, my aunt, stands behind her brother and holds a white baby doll that wears traditional Hmong clothing such as an apron and sash.

Graphite, ink, crayon, thread, tape on cotton paper.