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Paintings

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Group Exhibition: Kinda Green

Group Exhibition: Kinda Green

NEW YORK – Kinda Green is a group exhibition comprised of art and design works by Anne Katrine Senstad, Si Jie Loo, Jamie Martinez, and Studio Roosegaarde . Society is faced with climate change, pollution, rising sea levels, and massive ecologically driven migration. Many sustainable lifestyle theories advise people to “buy green,” invest in a “clean” car or only eat organic food. But is it wise…

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Eat whatever that is offered to you, that is the only way to know a culture – Anthony Bourdain in “Parts Unknown” 

I heard of Anthony Bourdain’s reputation before knowing his latest work  “Parts Unknown”. In the series, he traveled to many countries to engage with locals, celebrity or not, to talk about the issues of their homeland in the presence of food. His recent death caused thousands to mourn. 

Bourdain famously sat down with President Obama in Vietnam over a $6 bowl of Pho.

One idle evening in our new nest in Providence, Rhode Island,  Kevin and I decided to watch one episode of “Parts Unknown” available on Netflix. This time Bourdain goes to Trinidad and Tobago (originally aired June 2017). We were immediately captivated by the multicultural colonial history of the islands and the development of the ‘only instrument invented in 20th century’ aka the Steel Pan.  

Professor Stephon Alexander explains the science behind the Steel Pan

Little did I know that Pan Fantasy Steelband , Canada’s top steel band, would be in town merely days later to be part of a comprehensive Pan discussion and a concert! Organized by Brown University’s Development Studies program at the Watson Institute, the panel of scholars and artists covered a wide array of topics surrounding the Steel Pan, from its historical and socio-economical origins, to its migration alongside Trinidadians across borders (Canada in this case), the role of women in the band, and the complicated science behind its acoustics. Besides being grateful for the fact that I could dive into new knowledge, I want to highlight what resonates with me when I listened to Bourdain and the panelists speak about home and culture.

You can bring a piece of home with you even as you move into a new culture, and that’s something you can be proud of. – Wendy Jones “woman in the base” , Co-founder of Pan Fantasy Steelband 

Woman in the base aka Wendy Jones

Home in this case can be a musical practice, a language or a national dish. Paraphrasing another musician, “a tradition is nothing without you in it”. All to say that even as we roam the girdled earth to the new and unknown, we are still entitled to practice our own traditions. As we grow, our practice grow and change with us. Just like how women were not originally part of the Steel band culture, they later become an integral part of the culture.

Lastly, I was told that it is very hard to record the sound of Steel Pans so I hereby present you the sketches I made during Pan Fantasy Steelband’s epic concert. Enjoy! 

  Anthony Bourdain and Pan fantasy Steelband Eat whatever that is offered to you, that is the only way to know a culture - Anthony Bourdain in "Parts Unknown" 

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Yam rice

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Re-experience PHYSICAL MEDITATION in Malaysia

Ever since I completed my trip to the Tibetan Plateau back in September 2016, I have dreamed to dedicate an entire exhibition for it. I jumped out of bed in the middle of the night in California several months later because I finally found words to express this dream of mine, starting with the term “Physical Meditation”.

Exhibition opening at Hin Bus Depot.

Physical Meditation, the name of my…

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My first week in Penang

For the first blog of the year, I decided to use the same question I posted in my latest exhibition, Physical Meditation, to reflect on my first week in Penang.

In a world saturated by social media networks and selfie posts, how does an artist make sense of her journey in self-discovery and process the world around her?

Just when I was meticulously scheduling posts to promote the artwork from my…

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Physical Meditation

Physical Meditation, the name of the exhibition, came about when Si Jie witnessed how Tibetans pray in the monastery during her trip to the Tibetan Plateau. It is a very physical motion and at one point, their whole body lies flat on their stomach on the floor. It prompted her to think about the length she would go as an artist to voice out her unique perspective and role she plays in the modern…

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"Whispers of the Gobi desert" painting process #artistsatwork @silo_118 @cjloo #awindowtothearts #livepainting #Inknovations #inkounter #inkoncanvas

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Live Painting event: A Window to the Arts

On November 2nd, I participated in a Live Painting event on State St, Santa Barbara. Enjoy the documented process of how my latest painting “Whispers of the Gobi Desert” unfold in this visual storybook- curated chronologically with narration. Simply click the album below to start!

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LUSCIOUS thought provoking films from Asia's diverse region! Films we watched & enjoyed so far: "Listen" (lebanon), "birdshot" (Philippine), "ayla" (turkey), "nirvana" (China), " mad world" (hkg)! #AWFF runs though Nov 2 at Arclight Cinema Culber City! Come check the movies out! . . . #strands #awff #asianfilms #oscars #celebrate #asianheritage #CulverCity #asianartists #femaleartists #film #passion #storytelling (at ArcLight Cinemas Culver City)

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Visiting @Toniscottart 's "Origins" Exhibition at UCSB Art Dept's Glass Box Gallery. Loving the bold black Palm tree fonds as materials and what they prompt us to reflect on...Africa...history...blackness...origins...you name it! ��� .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #artistsupportingartist #toniscott #origins #africa #blackhistory #history #artexhibition #femaleartist #artistlife

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Thank you for being such engaging audience :) . . . #arttalk #artisttalk #ucsb #sijieloo #sharingthejourney #creativecommunity @yumikoglover @toniscottart @riukz#Repost @wittyfilter (@get_repost) ・・・ Great presentation of art！ (at University of California - Santa Barbara, Goleta, California)

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Using body gestures to make a point :P⠀ Thank you @yumikoglover for inviting me!⠀ ⠀ #artisttalkmeme #meme #gif #risingenergy #sijieloo #ucsb⠀ @cjloo @toniscottart @riukz @wittyfilter (at UCSB - UC Santa Barbara)

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A: what are you up to tonight? B: I dunno, #TGIT I guess ... C: count me in, I'll bring some wine! . . . #potteryportraits #potteryclass #earthytones #glaze #artistsofinstagram #artistlifestyle #tgit #asianart #antiqueinspired

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Working on a new piece of painting next to my newly set up herbal plant boxes :) . . . #balconygarden #balconystudio #artistlifestyle #artistsofinstagram #paintmusic #meditation #artist #herbalife

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Hubby talking to artists Nash Rightmer and Erik ReeL at H Studios + Gallery during Ventura Art Walk last Sunday (Paintings in the background by Nash Rightmer).⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #creativecommunity #ErikReeL #NashRightmer #contemporaryart #artists #venturaartwalk #artislife @riukz @ErikReeL @edgexpo @rhonda.p.hill @cjloo (at H Gallery + Studios)

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On our third wedding anniversary, we want to acknowledge all the family and friends who have seen us through thick and thin. Three years later, we are still mastering the art of love and care for one another!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ Please enjoy the few photos I have lifted from thousands, three ceremonies from two continents, two sets of families, ONE LOVE. . . . #weddinganniversary @riukz #marriage #kenya #Malaysia #family #muthoniwa #parents #husbandandwife #ancestors #love #siblings #marriageiswork #relationshipgoals #onelove