Pin-Chen Lai

Bridge

“Bridge” is the title of my artwork, inspired by my glasses. For me, glasses are more than just a functional object connecting two lenses; they symbolize a deeper connection—linking my eyes to the world and shaping how I see and express myself.

In the first painting, I created two little girls who look almost identical. The girl in black and white represents my imaginary friend, my only companion until I turned four. In contrast, I am the child with my eyes covered—a reminder of my early struggles with vision. The covered eyes symbolize my dependence on glasses and the patch I wore to correct amblyopia.

We both have two exaggerated braids, a signature part of my childhood look. My thick, fast-growing hair was like a canvas for my mom’s creativity.

In the second painting, I depicted myself wearing oversized glasses made entirely of beads in a super pinky color—a nod to one of my favorite childhood crafts.

Every accessory I wear reflects my love for using different materials to express creativity and individuality. Through these paintings, I celebrate the bridges between my past and present, imagination and reality, and art and self-expression.