This series of paintings are based on old images of Yuefen Pai, also called “Shanghai girly posters.” They were calendar posters made in the 20’s and 30’s by Western Firms and given to Chinese Clients at New Years.

My Korean grandfather Wook Moon met my Chinese grandmother Shay Young in Shanghai in the 30’s. He worked in import/export and she taught English at Shanghai University. In 1939 when Japan invaded China they moved back to the then American Common Wealth, Hawaii.

The Yuefen Pai series has allowed me to explore my mixed Asian /American heritage. These Yuefen Pai images also represent the beginning of the post colonial era. I’m interested in post-colonial aesthetics as it unfolds throughout Asia. This can be seen in Edo Japan and Independent India as well. In the following series I explore this genera.

“Two Girls Brand” 2003 appeared in Showtime’s series The L Word

Japanese art played an important role in early modernism in Europe. The French couldn’t get enough of those Japanese woodblock prints. Thematically these prints were called, Ukiyo-e (en.”Floating World”.) The genera developed during the Tokugawa Shogunate, a time of relative peace in Japan where urban culture flourished. Ukiyo-e artists depicted scenes of everyday urban life, Kabuki, the brothels, portraits of pop icons and teahouse girls. These paintings and prints were in fact advertising for entertainment and sex—the pleasures of the floating world.

My multi-culti upbringing has caused a love and obsession with the intersection of east and west. Next stop Bollywood.

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