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| "Love," by Julie Tián. |
Artist's Note
When I read about the Grandparent Teaching of Love, the thing that stood out to me most was the idea that love is unconditional. For me, the idea that a parent can love a child unconditionally feels almost unfathomable. Being a first-generation immigrant and a queer person, it’s hard to believe that my parents, who have sacrificed so much in hopes of giving me an easier life, would expect nothing from me in return.
I decided to do a painting of my father and I because my father is not someone who is good at expressing love or making others feel loved. This piece has a patchwork of familiar patterns and textures from my childhood, and I remember to this day. I realized a way he tries is by providing an environment that is familiar to us, though it may be limiting. Despite the many disagreements I have with my father, I do still love him. So, while I have a hard time believing parents can love their child unconditionally, I do love my parents unconditionally. It acts as a reminder to me that people you don’t agree with are still deserving of care and love.
When I read about the Grandparent Teaching of Love, the thing that stood out to me most was the idea that love is unconditional. For me, the idea that a parent can love a child unconditionally feels almost unfathomable. Being a first-generation immigrant and a queer person, it’s hard to believe that my parents, who have sacrificed so much in hopes of giving me an easier life, would expect nothing from me in return.
I decided to do a painting of my father and I because my father is not someone who is good at expressing love or making others feel loved. This piece has a patchwork of familiar patterns and textures from my childhood, and I remember to this day. I realized a way he tries is by providing an environment that is familiar to us, though it may be limiting. Despite the many disagreements I have with my father, I do still love him. So, while I have a hard time believing parents can love their child unconditionally, I do love my parents unconditionally. It acts as a reminder to me that people you don’t agree with are still deserving of care and love.