I'm Home — Kathy Liao

I'm Home

2013, Mixed Media on Canvas, 64" x 54"

I Hardly Noticed You Were There

2014, Oil on linen, 58" x 53"

It's Okay If You Can't Remember

2013, Mixed Media on Canvas, 36" x 38"

Sunbathing

2013, Collage and Gauche on Paper, 10" x 14"

The Next Step

2013, Oil on canvas, 72" x 48"

Family Pool

2013, Oil on canvas, 60"x140"

Red Hat

2014, Mixed media and fabric on panel, 46" x 36"

Teapot (Father)

2013, Collage and Gauche on Paper, 18" x 20"

Yellow Blanket (Mother)

2013, Collage and Gauche on Paper, 14" x 13"

Convalescence 2

2014, Collage and gouache on paper, 8.5" x 24"

"I'm Home / 我回來了 / ただいま": an announcement of one's return, a declaration of one's presence in the house. In Japanese culture, ただいま/tadaima “I've returned” is often met with the phrase おかえりなさい/okairinasai, “welcome back”. A home is not complete without that exchange - the acknowledgement that my presence is welcomed and embraced by others who share my home.

Coming home, I enjoy the sense of familiarity to everything around me - all the little things that remind me I belong here. This include the presence of family I've grown accustomed to around the house - family members going about their daily routine, watching TV, on the computer, doing laundry, cooking... Even when they are no longer there, their presence lingers and I know I'm home. Compiled from photographs and recent memories, the paintings and drawings were an attempt to record and preserve those presences in those familiar spaces.