This is a hand-drawn and hand-cut paper cutout artwork done when I was in High School. The project was about defining our identity. This artwork shows myself visiting my family’s home in China for the first time after being in the USA for 10 years. I’m standing next to the water well. When I visited China, people saw me as an American. When I am in the USA, people saw me as Chinese. I define myself as a Chinese-American. As a first generation immigrant, we try hard to fit into American society but I also try hard to keep some of our heritage and not forget who we are. There is a Chinese saying, “飲水思源”. It translates to, "When you drink water, think of its source". Because of this, I asked my parents to send me to Chinese School. During Chinese School, I was introduced to Chinese paper cutting. From then on, I fell in love with this traditional art form and today, I still create paper cutout artworks.
Note:
飲水思源 – The literal translation means "When you drink water, think of its source". Remember where the water came from and how you’re able to access the water. Don’t just be thankful for water; be thankful for all the elements and processes (both past and present) that allowed you to enjoy that humble cup of water.
 

– Eunice H

Relationship:  Im/migrant who arrived as a child Im/migrant who arrived as a child