霉国, 2025
Chinese watercolor and ink on Xuan paper
35cm x 70cm
Chinese watercolor and ink on Xuan paper
35cm x 70cm
霉国, pronounced méiguó, means "moldy world". It's a homophone to the Mandarin pronunciation of America, 美国 měiguó. Chrysanthemums, which usually stand for dignity and righteousness allude to the propaganda that the US is a righteous country spreading peace and democracy. Whether or not this was ever true, the recent events unfolding since Trump took presidency show the rot that has sunk in deep. The flower petals have wilted, the stems decayed, with root rot and disease choking out the noble ideals. Flies circle the spectacle, looking for a place to land.