AILEEN CHONG

My work suggests a dialogue about cultural fusion rooted in personal experiences and is manifested through abstraction. The intent is to establish these recollections in a visceral manner rather than overtly. My background as a female Chinese Peruvian growing up in Long Island, New York, has played a significant role in my body of work. The experience of these multi-cultural dichotomies and its customs and traditions with the values of American life brought a fractured sense of identity. The question of which side I identify with more has been a recurring issue. The majority of my grandparents are from China, but I identify with Peruvian customs and Spanish was the primary language spoken while growing up. Outside the household, expectations of dominant American culture built a divergent sense of self. My comfort level alters with certain situations that I am faced with and I find resolution in my work. Through my paintings, I am able to communicate a visual representation of my thoughts and feelings.