︎︎︎Back
An All American Union
Artist Statment:
An All American Union is a wedding portrait, symbolizing the union of Korean, Chinese and Western cultures. The union between these two characters creates a chaotic, vibrant image that mirrors the spontaneous and over-the-top nature of a Vegas wedding. The Elvis bride presents herself before the audience, dressed in traditional Korean wedding attire. She stands at the altar next to Chinese kung-fu legend Bruce lee, his wedding attire consists only of the American traditional leg garter. Overlooking this wedding is the Father (Bob Dylan), Son (George Harrison), and the Holy Ghost (Buddy Holly). The holy trinity of rock and roll in bejeweled costumes reminiscent of Elvis’s famous eagle clad cape.
This portrait weaves together references to multicultural existence, while also highlighting an underlying sense of discomfort. Elvis’s iconic image, his residency in Vegas, and his eventual entrapment in the states serve as powerful symbols of the dangers inherent in chasing the American Dream and the excesses that define American culture. The bejeweled elements and chaotic nature of the image explore the tension between cultural assimilation within the backdrop of American excess.
dd![]()
