The water color painting depicts Kien Nguyen's grandmother losing control of her bowels next to a jack-fruit tree. Her foot resembles a rotting eggplant because of the swelling and decay of her infection. The color use reflects her body's decay and the decay of the communist state. The fruit and vegetables represent the ironic state of the government. Instead of building the nation's postwar solidarity, the government promotes discrimination and hate. The consequences displace many Amerasian children and supporters of democratic values. The hammer of justice lies sideways because the corrupt state's bias clearly shows when Nguyen's family continues to struggle because of their past lifestyle. The grandmother's pain and endurance reflects the fighting spirit of the Nguyen family and their will to survive in the corrupt postwar Vietnamese government.
By Ivan R.
Wow, Ivan, your picture is very vivid! It has tons of imagery that all work very well together. I especially like the abstract form of the grandmother, with the small heart that symbolizes that she still loves and is loved even while she loses control of her body and slowly turns into a vegetable. I'm curious, though--why jack fruit? Because of its prickly nature? Also I enjoy the image of the hammer of justice lying on it's side--it could also represent a toppled justice system, or just the old system in general? Just some thoughts. I enjoy your painting!
ReplyDeleteBy Alexis L.
I like Ivan’s double-entendre meaning of the eggplant representing the grandmother’s foot and communism’s decaying state. Ultimately, the communist state influences the grandmother’s physical well-being –both are interconnect and influence one another. The four fruit dispersion of the art depiction can be interpreted similar to the grandmother’s decaying physical state. The fruits represent an ailment for every other individual in the environment. For instance, the multicolored fruit located above the hammer can represent Kien and Jimmy’s discrimination ailment, or the yellow fruit with green spots can represent Khuon’s capacity to contribute to the community but remains unattached because of her involvement with capitalistic ideals. Like Ivan stated on the hammer of justice depicting the state’s corruption, yet with its influence on the environment and people, the human will retains its vivacity as the grandmother’s figure illustrates it through her open arms, and symbolic red heart.
ReplyDeleteBy Nelson M.