Resting Zen, framed mixed media artwork by Jingwei Bu

Description

This series of multimedia works which combine drawing and string explores the experience of cultural displacement. For Jingwei Bu arriving in a foreign country – with no language or familiarity with customs – is akin to being like a newborn, in a state of total vulnerability. In the process of learning to communicate, picking up the social cues of the host culture, the sense of exposure lessens. This is the metaphor of the string. The string represents assimilation. Wrapping the board in string is a lengthy process. Jingwei reminds us that being comfortable – the feeling of being at home – can’t be rushed. Meanwhile, the balance of the parallel lines creat a state of staying still in serenity of being resting Zen.