Women's roles in society have traditionally centered around caregiving, nurturing, and supporting men in positions of authority. Despite evolving societal norms, expectations still often demand self-sacrifice, especially in many Asian cultures where women face additional challenges like ageism and gender pay inequality in the workplace. 

In my series “Armor”, I explore these themes through artworks made from a foundation of felt and thread, materials traditionally associated with domesticity, warmth, and comfort. Each piece forms an empty vessel, symbolizing the self-imposed barriers or protective cocoon women create in response to societal pressures. Through the application of lacquer, these soft materials are transformed into hardened, rigid “shells”. The weightlessness of the pieces contrasts with the invisible burdens women carry daily, highlighting the duality of strength and vulnerability.