This work began as a child’s garment that was stretched out to fit an adult woman, representing how my relationship to this traditional garment has changed as I’ve grown up.  The spaces between the original fabric form the character 美, meaning beautiful.  美 also references the term for the United States, 美国, meaning “beautiful country”.  A dress that used to represent my cultural pride has been reformed into something exotified and Americanized.  


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