Dona Park
Longing to Be Three Birds in the Sky, 2024
Longing to Be Three Birds in the Sky is an aesthetic gesture of optimism. Abbotsford-based artist and Emerge alumna Dona Park draws inspiration from her Korean cultural heritage to celebrate values of freedom, longevity, and peace.
At the center of the composition is a female figure, reaching for three red-crowned cranes flying in the sky above. The red-crowned crane is a symbol of longevity and peace in Korean culture, while the number “three” is considered harmonious and, therefore, auspicious. Surrounding the figure is an ornamental border featuring flowers and birds from an ancient bojagi, a prolific Korean covering cloth used in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from the everyday (such as wrapping food) to special occasions (such as gift-giving and wedding ceremonies).
What images or symbols would you use to express optimism?