This project is based on a record my mother had kept of name options for me, suggested by my grandfather. In Chinese names, each character is often a quality you want imbued in your child or grandchild. My grandfather wanted to give me a name such that I would possess qualities of a good wife.

I found an interesting contradiction between such traditional thinking against the modern society I now live in. I utilized iconic name keychains as a device to create art objects that bring this story of the old verses the contemporary to view. These hyper enlarged objects also create a bold statement, lending itself to it’s own contradiction against the traditional stereotypical image of a reserved asian woman. 

The translations read: Ladylike & Chaste, Appeasing & Conjugal, Beautiful To Look At & Endearing To My Husband

Personal Project
36"x18"
Series of 3

WHO I COULD HAVE BEEN