Kathleen Yeung

My artwork was inspired by the painting titled Dancing Mutants, created by Hernando R. Ocampo. This Filipino painter was born in the year of 1911, and specialised in modern art. Dancing Mutants is a depiction of the horrific aftermath ensued from the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the final days of World War II.

I appreciate how such a tumultuous chapter in history is conveyed through a kaleidoscope of abstract symbolism, representing the event in a haunting yet subtly elegant manner. The numbers I have chosen to utilise in my painting are 4, 11, and 0. In several cultures, 4 is believed to represent death and in my view, the fear of using the number is a possible metaphor for the avoidance of the reality of one’s suffering in this context. The number 11 is believed to symbolise awareness, sensitivity and intuition—those who experienced the atomic bombings may have awakened to an enlightening realisation or truth of human nature, as well as embraced the essences of living.

As for the last number, Ground Zero was used as an indication of the exact location where the bombs were detonated. My work includes red and green, similar to the original inspiration, but the two colours appear to be more interactive yet conflicting with each other to configure a coherent whole—this aspect symbolises the internal battles and dilemmas embedded within the inner psyche, the struggle between sorrowful guilt (represented by the dark vignette-like effect) and lingering desire to survive (conveyed through red tiles symbolising determination and that both rational and moral judgement is conducive to forging one’s own fate).