I began We Are Tiger Dragon People in 2008 with the support of a Fulbright fellowship. Yunnan Province is home to
25 of China’s 55 officially recognized ethnic minority groups. Together, China’s ethnic minority populations
make up less than 9% of the nation’s population, while the Han comprise the overwhelming majority.
My mother is a member of the black Nuosu Yi tribe; her grandfather was Lung Yun 龙云, governor of Yunnan from 1927 to 1945 and
commander-in-chief of the 1st Army Group. Learning about my Yi ancestry in my mid-twenties inspired me to begin this ongoing body of work.
With generous support from the Leeway Foundation and a residency at the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, I began expanding We Are Tiger Dragon People in 2014 to include ethnic minority communities beyond Yunnan Province. Over the years, the project has grown through the support of CFEVA, the Independence Foundation, the Puffin Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. I am also deeply grateful to the
artist residencies that have given me the time, space, and resources to continue this long-term work, including Yaddo,
MacDowell, The Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts, the Institute for Electronic Arts at Alfred University, and the Vermont Studio Center.
A colorful cardboard cutout of people dressed in traditional Mexican clothing, featuring a woman at the top and a woman at the bottom, surrounded by decorative flowers.
A person wearing a hat and colorful clothing looks closely at a plate with eggs and various plants and tools surrounding them.
A colorful collage of diverse dishes, including a large burger, various sides, and a smiling man's face at the center, with a background of greenery and a house.
Stacked art books with pictures of various foods, including a pie, dumplings, and salads.
Close-up of a brown hardcover book with a decorative gold band along the edge of the cover.
Child with a creative collage of cut-out images including butterflies, ships, animals, and various textures surrounding her head.
Person interacting with holographic multimedia display showing various images including a dog, butterflies, and landscapes.
Group of people sitting on benches near a river with trees and buildings in the background.
Decorative gift box with picture of people in historical clothing, containing folded fabric or paper with a gold and brown design.
A detailed miniature diorama depicting a traditional cultural scene with figures, vibrant textiles, and decorative elements on a raised surface.
A person standing behind a large table filled with various exotic fruits, vegetables, and seafood displayed in a colorful and elaborate arrangement.
A detailed, colorful model of a landscape or city scene with various miniature structures, animals, and plants, displayed on a table. A woman in traditional attire stands next to it, observing.
Decorative Halloween-themed crafts, including a cat mask, a witch's hat, and miniature figurines, set against a white background.
A display of traditional and cultural items on a table, including woven textiles, pottery, and decorative objects arranged with some greenery.
Photograph of a memorial featuring a statue of a dog with sunglasses and a red scarf, placed on a stone platform, surrounded by plants and candles, with a group of people kneeling in front of it.
People working in an outdoor farm field, wearing hats and carrying bags, with animals and farm equipment.
Postcard of a rural scene with people dressed in traditional clothing, surrounded by trees and mountains, engaged in crafting or farming activities.
Group of children wearing blue hats standing outside near a brick wall and railings.
A pop-up book with a 3D scene of children climbing stairs outside, with some children wearing hats and backpacks.
People sitting around a table at a celebration, with some in traditional Hawaiian attire, sharing food and enjoying each other's company.
Various paper currency and coins scattered on and around two framed photographs, with a group of people in the background picture.
Dried lily pads with pink flowers placed on a book or magazine.
Artistic sculpture of a black and pink flower on a green surface, framed and displayed as a decorative piece.
A large photo of a dog's face with black and white fur, surrounded by a red flower wreath, mounted outdoors with a grassy landscape and horses in the background.
A red poppy flower with a black center is displayed on a reflective surface, showing a landscape with green grass and mountains in the background.
A detailed open antique book with intricate paper sculptures emerging from it, including insects, animals, and various objects crafted with paper and other materials.
Person flipping through a large pop-up or 3D paper book with elaborate paper sculptures coming out of the pages.
Wooden notebook with a black spine and a simple tree-like drawing on the cover
A framed photo of people celebrating with a person wearing a flower crown and holding a bouquet, positioned above a young girl with a red bow on her head and a big smile.
A shattered flat-screen TV displaying a distorted image of children and adults, with broken screen parts extended outward.
A mirror reflecting a group of children playing indoors, with some parts of the reflective surface broken or missing.
Broken torn photograph of children in costumes lying on a surface
A person wearing a large red paper star on their head and a black wig, smiling broadly with a background showing people and a street scene.
A mirror on a stand reflecting the face of an elderly woman wearing traditional clothing and a red hat, with a person's finger pointing at it.
Two children wearing colorful traditional costumes and headdresses, smiling and posing in front of a floral background. The scene is festive and vibrant.
A collection of colorful embroidered patches and fabric pieces arranged on a square surface.
A closed notebook with a floral design near the right edge and two pink tassels attached to the bottom right corner.
A group of people performing a traditional dance in an outdoor setting, with some wearing colorful clothing.
Black notebook or planner with metal studs along the cover edges.
Colorful hand-painted sculpture of indigenous people with traditional attire and accessories, displayed on a wooden board.
Miniature rock formation with colorful accents and a patterned base, featuring Chinese characters on the central rocks.
Close-up of colorful embroidered fabric with geometric and floral patterns.
People viewing a large, intricate golden wall art installation inside an art gallery, with some taking photos and children with backpacks and hats.
A black-and-white photograph of a person in a military uniform with medals and decorations, standing outdoors with trees in the background.