Do Not Draw a Red Star is a painted paper cutout that reflects a symbolic connection between immigration, memory, and place. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of my immigration to the US in 2023, this project holds profound importance in my life. Living with multiple identities —immigrant, Asian, minority, woman, artist, and mom —across two different lands, not neighbors, has enriched my understanding of self-identity, belonging, and what ‘home’ means to me.
The dominant use of red hues and star motifs in this project stems from my childhood memory of being forbidden to draw a red star during 1980s art classes, a time of rigorous education against communist ideologies in South Korea. Looking back, kids thoroughly received anti-communist education in the name of national security. The only chance I was allowed to draw intense red patterns was an annual propaganda poster competition, where I received awards. Winning in a propaganda poster competition made me dream of becoming an artist, even though, at that time, my understanding of an artist’s role was somewhat skewed. Nonetheless, it felt like a natural and right decision for my dream.
