9. Confluent Love
2024 Charcoal powder
Confluent Love
65.5’ x 42.7’
When I was young, the door to my room often muffled the sounds of childhood quarrels. In this piece, I intentionally inverted one of the identical door handles to evoke an unsettling feeling, symbolizing the lingering, unhealable wounds caused by family conflicts.
Confluent Love (details)
The entangled door handles represent a child’s longing for resolution and connection. Just as a red scarf can be used to mend a loose door, it also serves as a metaphor for repairing the bonds between hearts. This idea resonates with sociologist Janet Finch’s concept of family practices, which emphasizes that the meaning of familial actions relies on mutual understanding and the shared recognition of what constitutes “family.” In my family’s context, though the scarf has faded over time, its symbolism of connection endures.
Confluent Love 2025 ->