Ekin Kee Charles: Among Us
Identity and community value has been a recurring theme in Ekin Kee Charles鈥檚 works. The works 鈥� Rama Rama and Meet Us at the Ridge: 6.0753掳 N, 116.5588掳 E, are an exploration of identity in the context of traditional custom. How do we play our role in preserving and carrying on our traditions?
The exhibition name, Among Us, chosen by the artist, is based on the concept of a mobile game that became popular during the pandemic. The concept of the game involves playing as cute-colorful animated bean-like characters in space, working together with your crewmates to identify the suspected impostors, who are then eliminated through voting by questioning each other鈥檚 sincerity. 鈥淲hile I was doing research for both works, most of my sources were from my family members, my uncles and aunties. I am not disputing their points, nor am I giving them the benefit of the doubt; however, they were portraying based on their perspective and beliefs. Similar to Among Us, I question the value of truth and sincerity.鈥�
This series of works explores the artist鈥檚 journey in questioning a deeper connection between herself and what it means to be indigenous in the current society of vast modernization. Internalizing a worry of the fading customs, the artist interprets the profound foundation of their disappearance, as they are honored on a surface level without truly understanding the meaning behind them. This series serves its way of preserving thoughts on custom tied by specificity of life experience.
鈥淢ost of my work revolves around the community that raised me; what I witness reflects how I express myself as an artist. The journey has never been easy; as I question myself correspondingly, I question the people around me. This process will lead me towards a multilayered complexity of emotions. By making these films, I am able to express my thoughts as my way toward acceptance and not leaving them behind.鈥�
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Identity and community value has been a recurring theme in Ekin Kee Charles鈥檚 works. The works 鈥� Rama Rama and Meet Us at the Ridge: 6.0753掳 N, 116.5588掳 E, are an exploration of identity in the context of traditional custom. How do we play our role in preserving and carrying on our traditions?
The exhibition name, Among Us, chosen by the artist, is based on the concept of a mobile game that became popular during the pandemic. The concept of the game involves playing as cute-colorful animated bean-like characters in space, working together with your crewmates to identify the suspected impostors, who are then eliminated through voting by questioning each other鈥檚 sincerity. 鈥淲hile I was doing research for both works, most of my sources were from my family members, my uncles and aunties. I am not disputing their points, nor am I giving them the benefit of the doubt; however, they were portraying based on their perspective and beliefs. Similar to Among Us, I question the value of truth and sincerity.鈥�
This series of works explores the artist鈥檚 journey in questioning a deeper connection between herself and what it means to be indigenous in the current society of vast modernization. Internalizing a worry of the fading customs, the artist interprets the profound foundation of their disappearance, as they are honored on a surface level without truly understanding the meaning behind them. This series serves its way of preserving thoughts on custom tied by specificity of life experience.
鈥淢ost of my work revolves around the community that raised me; what I witness reflects how I express myself as an artist. The journey has never been easy; as I question myself correspondingly, I question the people around me. This process will lead me towards a multilayered complexity of emotions. By making these films, I am able to express my thoughts as my way toward acceptance and not leaving them behind.鈥�
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