Title: A Ma (阿嬤)
Artist: Karen Tsui
Medium: Painting (acrylic on canvas)
How does this artwork represent healthy human aging? (Artwork Description)
This is a 24” x 18” portrait of my then 74-year-old grandmother, who prides herself on her ability to live a happy and fulfilled life as an older, widowed, immigrant-settler woman. In Cantonese, she can be described as someone who “要面” (“wants face”), meaning she values preserving her dignity and reputation. She loves to impress, which one can tell by her boldly printed clothing (depicted), flashy jewelry, and outright boasts. While age and various health challenges have slowed her down, she embodies healthy human aging by remaining resolute in learning how to use new technologies, maintaining a vibrant social life, and managing her physical health as best as she can. In the painting, my grandmother is portrayed as confident, colourful, and well. Her expression and demeanor reflect a spirited approach to aging, carrying an impressive air that comes with the Confucian sentiment that, as the oldest in the household, she holds the most wisdom and knowledge. My artwork celebrates her as an embodiment of healthy aging, portraying an older adult who is able to be and do what she values.
Submission Category: Public