Howsem Huang
Unlike many local or English-speaking students who could easily provide context of
their cultural backgrounds from a Western perspective, non-English speakers tend to
introduce themselves based on their nationality. As a Chinese student studying in the
United States, I've noticed other Chinese students most likely only identify themselves
as Chinese without mentioning cultural backgrounds such as their home cities or
languages.
Besides, since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the Asian community in the United
State has been inundated by a wave of racist attacks. As an Asian artist and student, I
feel obligated to reveal and convey the beautiful stories within the Asian International
student community. This project features portraits of Chinese-speaking students and
immigrants, and their stories about their homes.
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"The motive of my creativity comes from the relationship between humans and water. I
used to be a swimmer, but my grandparents are afraid of water. So they would tell me
not to go near the reservoir to swim. Later I found out this fear came from the Martial
Law period in Taiwan when they were forbidden to swim in the sea.”
—Shao-Feng
