Shared Meals

Artist Statement

My painting explores the beauty of cultural diversity through the action of sharing a meal. Specifically, I painted children from different backgrounds eating lunch together and also exchanging foods from their own cultures. This moment illustrates how curiosity, kindness, and openness can spark moments of understanding and connection. I was inspired by my own childhood memory of feeling uncomfortable eating my traditional Korean lunch around friends, fearing it might seem strange or unpleasant. Instead of judgment, my friends showed curiosity, asking me about my food and wanting to try it. This led to a potluck where everyone brought dishes from their cultures. Through this, we were all able to embrace our differences and create an opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of our cultures.