Each year, I try to do at least one piece of cut paper art which celebrates and is inspired by the 干支. 2015 will be the Year of the Sheep. Or the goat or ram. The way words and their meanings can change between languages and cultures is fascinating, even for something as simple as a type of animal. I chose the ram as it presents a more dignified, powerful image.

Conceptually, I wanted to explore the ideas of isolation and connection. The animal (or animal spirit) is presented in a barren, solitary setting, on top of a nearly lifeless, rocky mountain. The horns however - influenced by ideas from sound waves and heartbeats and other recent artwork (The Coming Together of the Pulse and the Tremor) - continue off the page, suggesting connection to or communication with unseen others. Towards the bottom right side of the image, nearly invisible, we can see a sprig of 梅 - a hint that life still exists here, and of the coming Spring.

I’m absolutely in love with the washi paper used in the background. The color gradient is graceful and beautiful, while the white ink splashes are soft, violent, and evocative.