Jessie Li

We often hide behind a "perfect" mask to meet the world’s standards, but I believe our true strength lies in our vulnerabilities. "The Bloom Beneath the Cracks" is a triptych oil painting created on three interconnected panels. By using an irregular, fragmented layout instead of a traditional single canvas, I wanted to emphasize that our self-image is often reconstructed from different pieces of our experiences.

The stone-like texture of the face represents the cold, ideal image we are expected to maintain—static and flawless like a sculpture. However, as the surface begins to crack, life spills out in the form of soft vines and a clear, observant eye. The butterfly at the top symbolizes the final stage of this liberation. This painting is a reminder that beauty isn't found in the unbroken surface, but in the courage to let our real selves grow through the fractures.