Fort Collins Mural Project, 2025

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Following the Fort Collins Mural Project 2025 theme of mental health, this mural is about self acceptance, healing, and freedom through the celebration of racial and cultural identity. Using traditional Korean motifs, the artwork portrays two Colorado 14ers and a portrait of my friend, Michael. The use of a traditional style to depict local mountains is a metaphor and expression of mixed cultural experience. Also pictured are lotus flowers, a significant symbol representing rebirth and enlightenment. Like most Asian Americans, contrasting identities have been a constant my whole life. It sometimes feels like my life and cultural experiences are meant to be separated even though they exist in me as a single person. Painting is the best way I know to show myself and others how that feels, in the physical world. To anyone struggling with identity: All of you deserves to be seen and heard. All of you is beautiful and important. All of you is not too much.