My art installation explores the experience of being caught between two cultures, like China and the United States. Travel exposes me to both the beauty and the tensions between these countries. These tensions feel like a weight on my shoulders, and inspired me to use dunnage bags in my art.

Dunnage bags fill empty spaces to stabilize cargo during transport. I see them as a metaphor for my experience navigating cultural differences. The installation uses a variety of dunnage bags, reflecting the different sizes of cultural clashes. The papery texture adds another layer, contrasting the industrial form and creating a confusing feeling, mirroring how international tensions can feel overwhelming yet strange. By inflating and placing the bags around the room, I create a physical and metaphorical barrier that viewers must navigate.

This is more than just about international relations; it's about the personal impact of cultural divides. The inflated bags feel confining, replicating how I feel caught between two worlds. But the papery texture also hints at a possibility of connection, suggesting bridges can be built. The installation is an invitation for dialogue, a space to contemplate the complexities of our globalized world.