CROSSING BORDERS IN STYLE
SAYURI SUZUKI
Where Am I Headed?
(Pen on Paper)
Created during my senior year of high school, this pen on paper piece reflects my personal connection to the street food vendors of Vietnam, where I grew up. These vendors were a familiar sight, often stationed outside my school, and they evoke memories of a simpler, more carefree time in my life.
The choice of subject matter is deeply nostalgic, capturing a slice of everyday life that was integral to my childhood. The Japanese text in the background, which translates to "Where is this?" and "Where am I headed?" adds a layer of introspection to the piece. It conveys the sense of being lost that I experienced as a third-culture kid, navigating between different cultures and identities without a clear sense of belonging.
Through this artwork, I aimed to blend the familiar with the uncertain, illustrating the inner conflict of growing up in a place that feels both like home and yet foreign at the same time.
"Cultural Spectrum: The Orchid's Story"
(Color Pencil on Card)​
This color pencil on card piece is an experimental work that allowed me to explore different forms of drawing while expressing the complex layers of my cultural identity. The subject, an orchid flower, is rendered in a variety of colors beyond its natural hues, such as purple and yellow. Orchids hold significant meaning in Vietnamese culture, symbolizing status, abundance, and luxury during the Lunar New Year.
As someone who grew up in Vietnam but was born in Singapore with Japanese roots, I often found myself more immersed in Vietnamese culture than my Japanese heritage. The use of diverse colors in this piece reflects the multifaceted nature of my identity as a third-culture kid. Each color represents the different cultural influences that have shaped who I am, blending together to create something unique and vibrant.
Through this piece, I wanted to demonstrate my willingness to experiment with different artistic techniques while also conveying the richness and complexity of navigating multiple cultural identities.