#asian art museum
“Life is a state of endless becoming. It is vital not to forget where we’ve been, to take inventory of all that we currently have, and to envision bigger lives for ourselves.
I WAS — In a society that is forward facing and fast moving, there is value in pausing and looking back. The first phase asks us to rest and reflect. To acknowledge the stages we have survived, the people we have loved, and the losses we have accumulated.
We must make a home for all of our experiences and allow them to take shape. How will we let our past inform us? How will we carry it forward? How will we become bigger than what has hurt us?
I AM — The character sits centered, anchored in the present.
We must take the time to absorb what is happening now without letting life mindlessly pass us by. Pay attention, even to the hard parts.
I WILL BE — Evolution is inevitable. Should we ever feel stuck or trapped, we can seek comfort knowing we exist in a state of flux.
The character exits the frame, envisioning a life beyond what the viewer can see.
This piece serves as an homage to process, rather than outcome. Healing happens when we are able to incorporate the full spectrum of our experiences and integrate our collective selves. Instead of keeping parts of us in the dark, we deserve to live wholly and authentically. I hope you will honor every leg of your journey, knowing life is infinitely unfolding.”
Chanel Miller. “I was, I am, I will be” is on view at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco through February 2022.
Snuffboxes
Coral snuff bottle with Avalokiteshvara, dragon and phoenix, 1800 - 1900, Quing Dynasty, China
Amethyst and glass snuff bottle in the shape of an eggplant, 1775-1850, Quing Dynasty, China
Porcelain snuffbox in the shape of a Chinese cabbage, 1800-1900, Quing Dynasty, China
Visitor Submitted Inquiry
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
