San Francisco is a field of creative flowers that bloom through the cracks of cement. I feel honored to be part of the Urban Wallflower pop-up art gallery at Westfield San Francisco Centre. San Francisco represents a place where we enjoy an extraordinary freedom and find like-minded people. We all came here for a reason - because everyone of us wanted to unfold his or her personality like a bud blooming into a flower, and we couldn’t do that in the place we were before.
San Francisco is like a sanctuary. Before I came here, I never had a sense of belonging. One thing I have discovered, is that by being true to myself and living authentically, the right people naturally come into my life. They appreciate my uniqueness and vide versa. I am lucky to live in a place where many people think differently from the status quo. San Francisco is one of the most innovative cities, because people are thinking outside the box here.
It requires a lot of courage to go against established cultural norms, but the payoff is worth it. And it is our duty to speak up when something goes against our core values, instead of remaining silent. Now, it is more important than ever to support the LGBT social movement, since the Trump administration turns against the LGBTQ community and acts against their rights.
I know my paintings for Urban Wallflower SF are not changing people’s political beliefs, but they transport a feeling. They show, who I am as an artist, and my perspective on the right to love. My “Love is Love” series starts with the multi-cultural love between two people. It points out the extraordinary freedom that we enjoy in San Francisco, and my hope that one day it will become universal – that it will cover everybody’s freedom to love across gender, racial and class lines all around the world.
I am still discovering my purpose as I continue to do art. We are all so unique, and we are all so different, and it is important to help others by inspiring them and feeling like there is a space for them. It’s never to late to be whoever you want to be! We don't have to define ourselves or need labels. Love, whoever you want to love! Because love is love, no matter who you fall in love with. Work whatever you want and live where you are the happiest. Wear whatever you want. Act however you would like. Laugh as loud as you want, and cry when you want to! Just do whatever you want!!! You’re always going to be judged by those around you, so why not enjoying it?
