Oriental Flavor (Metallic Pink on Manga), Margaret Kasahara, 2023, Mixed Media
Artist Statement
My work is an expression of personal and social identity. I am responding to daily life and am inspired by everything from familiar routine to remarkable moments. I use a variety of media and often incorporate ordinary objects and commonly found materials to reflect everyday life experiences, interactions, and observations. I love the process of discovery and revealing connections. I am searching for the essence of things.
In the series entitled, “Oriental Flavor”, I am examining cultural tropes and clichés, and questioning cross-cultural assumptions and expectations. The name of the series – derived from the name of the product flavor on a package of instant ramen – poses the question, what is “oriental flavor” and what might a broad interpretation of the phrase reveal? Using a mostly lighthearted approach, I invite the viewer to consider how they navigate and define their own identities.