I left japan to visit family in Louisville, KY in march because I didn’t know how long international flights would be available. It has been three years since i’ve been home, so i spent most of my time visiting friends and family. After two weeks My job claimed we would be re-opening soon. I wished everyone fairwell and flew back to china. I had a layover in japan and decided to spend the 22 hours with my wife before heading back. What was supposed to be a one day visit ended up being a nearly 2 month stay because china banned foreigners from entering right before my flight.
I was both happy and anxious about it all and bought a sketchbook with the intent to fill it with as many ideas as i could. The weight of being displaced for so long had finally began to fall on me. My moleskine became a dumping ground for my anxiety and confusion. I’ve been used to moving from place to place, but this has been more hectic than before.
Living in a new place nearly each week, sharing a small space with another person, one table to use for dining, drawing, teaching, and anything else. Not knowing when i would have my life back has lead to these drawings. exploring my space internally and externally, looking for any purchase that i can get. Through these drawings i have confronted my lack of understanding and want to find solid ground.
The parallel between the confined space i now use to express myself and the one i now inhabit is growing closer. My sketchbook has become a direct link to my emotional experience of being displaced. Right now this drifting studio is the closest thing to a stable home that i have.