Steamed Fish

“Steamed Fish” visually explores nostalgia and the passage of time, reflecting on memories of my childhood. Through imagery of my parents, family home, and San Francisco, the project examines aging, change, and the love that endures despite it all.

When my parents were expecting me, they moved into the house where they still live today. The stove my father used to cook countless meals remains unchanged, the same cutting board rests atop the same kitchen table. Yet despite these constants, the house has changed over the decades. Cracks in peeling paint, the faded corner of a rug, the creaking basement stairs all bear silent witness to the passing of time and the life lived within these walls.

Returning to my childhood home allows me to immerse myself in a vessel brimming with cherished memories and milestones. Each visit stirs deep emotions as I recall past versions of myself and my family–the sound of my dad’s footsteps climbing the stairs after work, my mom calling my sister and me to the dinner table, late-night conversations with my sister in our shared childhood bedroom.

“Steamed Fish” explores the complexities of aging, the inevitability of change and loss,, and the fear of losing touch with my childhood. Through poignant imagery of my parents, our home, and San Francisco, this series captures the essence of nostalgia and gratitude, honoring the love that endures beyond the years.