Asian Diasporic Zodiac: Water Rabbit, Archival Print

2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit. It is the year of my mother, who was born in the last Water Rabbit year. My Taiwanese mother and I communicate through a lot of stories and metaphors, such as what it means for her to be a Water Rabbit Mother 🌊 to a Fire Rabbit daughter 🔥. I have what I would consider a healthy respect—and desire for strong boundaries—with water. Of the 5 Chinese elements, water is often considered the most powerful because no other element can destroy it. I completed the Water Rabbit during my art residency at Ma's House in the Shinnecock Reservation, Southampton, NY, after watching the crashing Atlantic waves. - The AAPI (Asian Pacific Islander American) Zodiac explores hybrid identities, inspired by conversations with my Taiwanese mother. In the Chinese Zodiac, there are 12 animals and 5 elements that shape individuals’ identities. I reimagined the Zodiac animals as if they were informed by diaspora and landscapes of Turtle Island / North America. Water rab