In Ocean Vuong’s poem titled, Self-Portrait as Exit Wounds, he explores the lasting impacts of trauma and memory with the following excerpt:
Instead, let it be the echo to every footstep
drowned out by rain, cripple the air like a name
flung onto a sinking boat, splash the kapok’s bark
through rot & iron of a city trying to forget
the bones beneath its sidewalks, then through
the refuge camp sick with smoke & half-sung…
As I reflected on this year’s Asian American Heritage Month theme of “ECHOES: Letters for New Tomorrows,” I found myself meditating on the development of not only my own identity, but a collective belonging within the face of adversity and survival. The legacy of our past and generational history creates its own kind of resilient echoes throughout time, in the form of tradition and storytelling. Though the effects of displacement and oppression constantly affect the human experience as an Asian American, these scars drive us to find strength for a better future.
In July of 2019, I took a family took trip to Manila, Philippines, to see where my mom grew up and meet her side of the family for the first time. The Jeepneys of Manila were a major source of inspiration and served as a catalyst for my most recent sketchbook work. I started a new sketchbook at the beginning of this trip and the influence of Jeepney designs became evident in my illustration, as I reflected on the history of their design and the collage-esque layered
vehicle decals. They are adorned with visuals such as religious iconography, sports team logos, and Looney Tunes characters. Jeepneys, originally fashioned from surplus US jeeps after World War II, hold a significant place as a national symbol in the Philippines and form the backbone of the country’s transportation system, yet continue to echo a period of oppression and serve as a lasting remnant of wartime.
With my illustration, I aim to find a balance of elements from music, movies, and nostalgic cartoons, documenting both past and present interests, often reflecting on current pop culture. An overarching theme in my work has been focused on memories, consciousness and shared human experience and I believe art is a powerful vessel for having a dialogue about often intangible concepts or feelings. I wanted that feeling to be conveyed in the poster I created for this month’s Asian American Heritage Month theme, creating something that felt like a celebration of tradition, stories, familiar imagery, and the guest speakers of the event in the form of a film-like poster.
One of the symbols inspired by the theme was shells and how they both literally and metaphorically convey the idea of echo. I was reminiscing on the fond memories of holding a seashell to my ear and hearing a “roaring” sound like the ocean, despite just hearing amplified ambient sound. Shells also tell stories in the form of souvenirs, travel, diaspora & through time. Another image I wanted to include was that of kites. Kites tell stories through passed down construction techniques with varied design & materials, but they also serve as an inspiring emblem of hopefulness by helping us to look up, forward and ahead.
With the animals I’ve included in this poster, I aimed for them to serve not only as ornamental motifs, but also connecting the stories, myths and legends from many different cultures. For example, frogs often serve as symbols of prosperity, abundance, growth and renewal. Similar to the kites, cranes inspire spiritual meaning of peace and hope. In addition to including animals, I had fun incorporating a few childhood toys passed down from my mom (marbles,
wooden chicken toy). On a recent phone call with her, she started telling me about various games she would play as a child in Manila. I enjoyed learning about games such as, “spider fighting, TEKS cards & Tumbang Preso / Tumbang Lata.” Most of the games she described involved using the resources of what were around her, often having to be creative. I was inspired by how these ideas of play have either changed over time and evolved or have stayed
the same and continue on in some way. Lastly, I wanted to include a drawing of the walis tambo (whisk broom). This tradition echos as the most important item in my household and hold memories that will last not only my lifetime, but beyond. It continues to serve as a sustainable connection to heritage and daily life.