通過畫作傳遞種族代表和精神健康意識，是怎樣的感覺呢？對於華裔加拿大藝術家及複雜性創傷後壓力症候群患者 Michelle Ku（美思）而言，這彷彿是某種煉金術。

What is it like to communicate representation and mental health awareness by way of painting? For Chinese-Canadian artist and complex PTSD patient Michelle Ku, this is “a kind of alchemy”.

雖然美思感覺自己不善言辭，但是她認為她能夠通過畫畫傳達一些比較深入的訊息。早前疫情的時候，由於大家被迫困在家裏，因此很容易面對各種情緒問題。在其創作中，美思則有感而發，覺得要取得平衡。無論是畫作中的構圖與用色、心靈與身體，還是生活中的甜與苦，一切皆講求平衡。

Although Michelle feels that she is not so good with words, she finds her way in delivering more nuanced messages through paintings. During the pandemic, since everyone was locked down at home, different emotional problems easily emerged. In her creations, Michelle feels that balance is key. From composition and colours, the mind and body, to life’s bittersweetness, everything strives for a balance.

從美思靈巧的作品中可以看到，主題常常有關夢境與現實，虛實相間而密不可分。在這些看似奇特的幻象背後，流露出藝術家成長以來的掙扎。身為一名加拿大華人和複雜性創傷後壓力症候群患者，美思希望透過其藝術創作，支持大眾理解相關羣體所面對的困難。儘管美思的作品多用冷色，可是當中又不乏一些有趣而可愛的小角色，體現了她對平衡挫折與幸福的追求。

Michelle’s ingenious works revolve around the theme of dreams and reality, where a person lies in between and is not separated straight away. Behind these seemingly strange mirages, the artist’s struggles of growing up are revealed. As a Chinese Canadian diagnosed with complex PTSD, Michelle hopes to advocate for public understanding of the difficulties facing relevant social groups through her paintings. Despite cold colours being characteristic of her artworks, they are also complemented by cute and fun characters, which reflects Michelle’s pursuit of balancing struggles with happiness.

美思在畫畫的過程中，一方面跟自己內心的小孩連繫並自我療癒，另一方面也期盼觸動觀者的心情。美思認為，畫畫講求自我覺察、反省與相信直覺的平衡。藝術的最終意義，難道不就在於把負面的經歷和情緒，轉換成一些美好的東西互相幫助嗎？原來，美思的藝術成就了一點魔法：以創意把情緒的問題重新煉製成勇敢地擁抱生命的奇蹟力量。

While drawing, Michelle connects with her “inner child” and heals herself on the one hand, and anticipates to touch her viewer’s feelings on the other hand. For Michelle, painting requires balancing mindfulness with trusting one’s intuition. Ultimately, is art not about turning negative experience and emotions into something beautiful and helpful? It turns out that Michelle’s art works like a bit of magic: recasting emotional troubles with creativity into the miraculous power of bravely embracing life.

關於藝術家 ABOUT THE ARTIST

Michelle Ku（美思）是一名加拿大視覺藝術家，其父母為香港移民。她的作品包括繪畫、動畫及公共藝術，例如壁畫。美思也是一名複雜性創傷後壓力症候群患者。對藝術家來說，畫畫就像煉金術一樣；她通過畫畫，積極探索心靈與身體的關係，以消化並治癒創傷。

Michelle Ku is a Canadian visual artist born to Hong Kong parents. She paints, animates and creates public art, e.g. murals. Diagnosed with complex PTSD, Michelle processes and heals her trauma by actively exploring the mind-body connection through painting — or, in the artist’s own words, “a kind of alchemy”.

美思的網站 Michelle’s website:
https://michellekuku.com

美思的 Instagram 個人檔案 Michelle’s Instagram profile:
https://www.instagram.com/michellekuku

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參考資料 REFERENCES

美思於 Hispanic Arts Society 上之簡歷 Michelle Ku’s biography on Hispanic Arts Society:
https://hispanicarts.ca/michelle-ku/

美思於 BUMP 藝術節上的個人檔案 Michelle Ku’s profile on BUMP Festival:
https://yycbump.ca/artists/michelle-ku/

美思的網站（如上）Michelle’s website (as above)

圖片提供：美思｜Courtesy of Michelle Ku