Tony Liu

“Rebuild” is a series of large-scale ink paintings and calligraphic works shaped by my experiences of family loss, separation, and changing relationships. After losing all my family members, my loved ones, and my unborn child. These experiences have altered how I understand myself and the world around me. I have come to believe that trauma leaves permanent marks; rebuilding means learning to stand on new ground with what remains.

I have practiced Chinese ink painting since childhood. Returning to ink and rice paper connects me to an earlier version of myself, while allowing me to question and reshape that connection. Through tearing, layering, and the movement of water, the fragile paper wrinkles and holds traces of each action. These physical changes echo the way memories remain in the body and mind.

My earlier artworks used dense black and red lines, strong gestures, and destructive visual energy to express emotional intensity. As the project develops, the images begin to make room for quieter forms, flowing movement. Laozi's ideas of change and balance, alongside my reflections on Māori word: “tūrangawaewae”—a place to stand and belong—have guided this shift.

Through their scale, the works invite viewers into a face-to-face encounter with grief, anger, and the possibility of living with change.