"Liminal" draws inspiration from the eclecticism of globalisation to explore the dynamic nature of identity.  The pejorative term “banana” is dissected, along with the complex internal negotiations between Eastern and Western values.  Through a combination of bold and intricate linework, the composition juxtaposes subjects with Australian, Chinese and Vietnamese origins to create a new localised sense of familiarity.

Legend has it that there was a line of priests. In the grandfather’s generation, the priest would walk to a certain place deep in the forest whenever he faced a difficult task and had to seek instruction from Heaven. There, he would make a fire, contemplate quietly, and pray sincerely. In this way, whatever he wanted to do was accomplished.

An entire generation had passed. The priest in the father’s generation also walked to the same place in the forest when he, too, faced difficult tasks. He said, ‘We can no longer make fires, but we can still contemplate and pray.’ So what he wanted to do was also accomplished.

Another generation had passed. In the son’s generation, people again asked the priest to do the same kind of task. He said, ‘We can no longer light fires. Neither do we know the mystical ways of contemplation and prayer. Nevertheless, I still know the place in the forest where everything was accomplished.’ He walked into the forest, and when he came out, the task was again accomplished.

Finally, it came to the grandson’s generation of the priests. The same kind of difficult task arrived, and the people gathered to ask him and plead with him. He sat on his chair and said, ‘We do not know how to light the fire. Neither do we know the ways of contemplation and prayer. We have even lost the location of the sacred place in the forest, and can no longer go back there. Nevertheless, we can talk about the revelations our forefathers received during their prayers. Let us tell stories of how they accomplished those difficult tasks.’