Floating Botanica: Float    2003   Mixed media

I went through a long period of studying nature, in particular fruits from the markets in Chinatown.   Fruits are not only aesthetically interesting to me, but also embody Chinese auspicious wishes and symbolism, connecting them to my culture.   Traditional folk representations--oranges for good luck, peaches for longevity, cherries for love, pears for prosperity--give the work another layer of meaning.   My sculptures have evolved to include tree and plant seeds, and seashells. The exaggerated scale emphasizes the forms and their inherent symbolism. Going beyond enlarging natural forms, I have more recently created hybrids that no longer represent a specific natural species.   The forms still look very real, but they contain personal significance or mixed meanings.