Lien Truong
40 x 30 in
The Ky Lan represents a combination of tiger (her mother and son's zodiac signs), rooster (her brother's zodiac sign) and snake (her father's zodiac sign). The animal is partially hidden from viewers, revealed only in parts through cave-like openings. The artist considers it to be one hybrid creature made of her family members, with one human leg at the bottom revealing her riding on a journey with them.
The forms are painted as they transition between animals—sculptural and abstract, functioning more as symbolic icons than realistic or idealized representations.
The printed and painted flowers and landscapes pay homage to the living things her parents found solace in, while also serving as a depiction of the "old" country. Her parents passed at the ages of 86 and 94. These scenes are hand-painted from Japanese sources. Growing up in California, Japanese cuisine was available to the family and her father loved the food. The aesthetic of these vintage Japanese paintings evokes fond memories of time spent together.