2024 Artwork of the Year

Artist Statement

My paintings capture the vibrant urban landscape scene, utilizing oil as my medium to depict the essence of my surroundings. I was first inspired by my experiences when exposed to Wayne Thiebaud's works at SFMOMA. My current painting series, ‘Moments at That Time: San Francisco,' captures the city's beauty, revealing scenes that might be overlooked in daily life. Inspired by my daily experiences, I incorporate value and/or color studies, drawing from photos that naturally catch my attention. These paintings transform ordinary moments into cherished memories on canvas, reflecting the life of San Francisco. I apply a full palette and painterly brushwork while considering composition, color, light, and texture to enhance each scene. My recent works incorporate expressive mark-making in the undertone, layered with representational elements on top. For example, in Red on Rails, Under Daylight, I capture a daytime city street with a red cable car approaching in my direction. Through a bright color, dynamic palette knife work, and textured details, the painting creates an ordinary scene into a joyful moment that embodies the vibrancy and energy of the city. Through the paintings, I share these rediscovered moments, inviting viewers to explore the city's beauty, painting by painting.