Self Portrait

2023

From childhood to now, I have had many hairstyles, and each one holds and connects to a distinct experience and memory. The two braids link me to tradition. I often wore them when performing guzheng (a traditional Chinese instrument). The small top knots connect me to family. When my bangs bothered my eyes at home, I would casually clip or tie my hair up with my mom’s hairpins or rubber bands. The ponytail on the left connects me to school: simple, practical, and clean. Without all of these, there is “me” with short black hair. I kept this hairstyle for nearly ten years, so it often feels like my truest form. And this self-portrait logo layers that “core” version of me with my connections to family, school, and culture.