Electronic Thesis/Dissertation
 

Latchkey Kid

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“Latchkey Kid” is an exhibition that presents a series of seal carvings, animation, and performance that blend storytelling, humor, and reflections on the self. These pieces draw on imagery and memories from my childhood, presenting the discomfort of a child struggling to confront changes of the past and the uncertainty of the future.Even in adulthood, childhood holds a beautiful innocence where, despite the enormity and strangeness of the world, it feels as though our place and roles are unchanging. As children, we experience life with wonder and curiosity, shaping our memories into vivid and fantastical moments in time. As I recall my memories, I realize that I can only retain a fraction of the events that occurred. From the unfamiliar feeling of mother’s departure to the isolation of an unfamiliar environment. However, to fill in the gaps, my mind often wanders into the imaginative realm that functioned as a survival mechanism during my childhood. Most of my dreams and memories of time revolve around being an outsider.Through a child-like lens of wonder, the animation, seal carving, and wall murals represent excerpts from my personal life and experiences as the only Asian in a Christian school. The photograph and performance explore the relationship between myself and my mother - a relationship bound in unconditional love but strained by mistrust, confusion, and conflicting personalities.

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