Token Specimen Series Artist Statement:
Growing up in a small town in Kansas, I have always felt like I lived under a glass dome, like in the American Natural History Museum. "The Token Specimen" is a series of biographical paintings celebrating resilient Southeast Asian Laotian women, former refugees turned inspiring role models for the next generation. Kulap Vilaysack is an actress, director, writer, and the founder of "LaosAngeles," a Californian community that supports Southeast Asian creatives. The collaged images are from Kulap's social media to reflect comfort and the quintessential American Dream. Kulap's journey and "her" story shatter the proverbial glass ceiling and stereotypes, particularly the submissive Asian female trope prevalent in movies and television. Moreover, this piece also addresses the alarming 300% surge in anti-Asian hate crimes nationwide. Asians are routinely pigeonholed as token citizens, fostering fear, envy, vulnerability, and misrepresentation within and outside the Asian community.
Growing up in a small town in Kansas, I have always felt like I lived under a glass dome, like in the American Natural History Museum. "The Token Specimen" is a series of biographical paintings celebrating resilient Southeast Asian Laotian women, former refugees turned inspiring role models for the next generation. Kulap Vilaysack is an actress, director, writer, and the founder of "LaosAngeles," a Californian community that supports Southeast Asian creatives. The collaged images are from Kulap's social media to reflect comfort and the quintessential American Dream. Kulap's journey and "her" story shatter the proverbial glass ceiling and stereotypes, particularly the submissive Asian female trope prevalent in movies and television. Moreover, this piece also addresses the alarming 300% surge in anti-Asian hate crimes nationwide. Asians are routinely pigeonholed as token citizens, fostering fear, envy, vulnerability, and misrepresentation within and outside the Asian community.