HannaH 2017

James Jean made this painting, Hannah, at an unspecified time, with oil on canvas. Jean’s work is characterized by a blend of contemporary and historical influences. The girl's melancholic expression and the presence of the monkey-like figure, contrast with the vibrant colors and lush, dreamlike landscape, echoing the surrealist movement's interest in the subconscious. Jean's cultural background as a Taiwanese-American artist also informs the work. He merges Western portraiture with Eastern aesthetics and symbolism. The tension between tradition and innovation raises questions about how we reconcile our past with our present, and the anxieties around cultural identity in a globalized world. To understand Jean’s position in contemporary art, one can examine the history of Asian-American artists and the stereotypes they have had to overcome. A closer look at Jean’s visual language will illuminate this artist's engagement with contemporary social issues.