Bambu

Students Name: Jineni Mei

Title: untitled

Work type: Mixed media (Oil on canvas, wire, Styrofoam and cardboard)

Category: Illustration

Size:22x40

In a self-portrait that is experimenting through narrative and cultural identity, Jineni creates a mixed media artwork that is both playful and contemplative of a journey. She uses the bamboo depicting stages of her life. The bamboo symbolism conveys strength, flexibility, endurance, simplicity, and continuous growth in her life. The literal ability of the plant to bend without breaking and to grow with speed despite life’s setbacks is how Jineni sees her path with relationships and her memories. She learns from life lessons as bring good fortune, prosperity, harmony, and good health.

Conversing with Jineni as we began brainstorming, she was very insistent on not having her likeness in the picture such as a traditional self-portrait, but rather something that could speak to various audiences. Reflecting on her identity she began by exploring what defines her beyond physical appearance in her personal journey. Visual symbology and an exploration of media made this project memorable and fun as she found a style that was complementary to her idea visually. Ultimately the bamboo played a key role in how she saw a traditional painting and how she was able to break away from the walls of the canvas yet stay formal. This resilience symbolizes the ability to adapt and cope with adversity., growth and longevity. Staying true to who she is, Jineni represents ideal virtues like integrity, modesty, and mental strength.