Covering Up the Present in a Ghost Forest

Exploring Assimilation and Identity in Serena Chang’s Exhibition “Sweet Water”

In the United States, the concept of identity often involves a process of forgetting. Immigrants are encouraged to assimilate, to blend in with mainstream culture by minimizing their differences. This act of assimilation, as described by Anne Anlin Cheng in her memoir Ordinary Disasters: How I Stopped Being a Model Minority (Random House, 2024), is like a hidden disease, subtly erasing one’s uniqueness to conform to societal norms.

In her exhibition Sweet Water at Island Gallery, artist Serena Chang delves into her father’s memories of working in a pantyhose factory in Taiwan. Through drawings of sugar cane and videos of the factory, Chang explores the complexities of assimilation and the erasure of cultural identity. The centerpiece of the exhibition, the artwork “Sweet Water,” features a ghostly sugarcane forest made of sheer hosiery, symbolizing the conformity imposed on working women to adhere to corporate standards.

While pantyhose may no longer be a fashion staple, the remnants of Chinese characters on the artwork signify a deeper connection to heritage and language. The incorporation of the word “us” in Chinese characters reflects the artist’s exploration of belonging and the struggle to maintain one’s identity in a foreign land.

Chang’s exhibition not only visually explores the themes of assimilation and cultural heritage but also delves into the auditory realm. The sounds of insects and factory machinery blend together, symbolizing the layers of conformity and the act of masking one’s true self to fit in.

Immigrant children often grapple with their parents’ memories and stories, trying to make sense of their own identity in a society that constantly pushes them to forget their roots. “Sweet Water” serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by immigrants in preserving their cultural identity while navigating a world that demands assimilation.

Serena Chang: Sweet Water is on display at Island Gallery (83 Bowery, Lower East Side, Manhattan) until February 15. The exhibition offers a thought-provoking exploration of assimilation, identity, and the complexities of cultural heritage.