Moonface
Lila M.
Acrylic Paint on Wood
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Moonface is a reclamation of my Asian heritage, and a practice in self love. The term “moon face” can mean many things. It’s a medical condition. In some places, it’s used as a derogatory term against Asians. In other places, it refers to natural, ethereal beauty. To me, it has always been a term of endearment, used by my family to celebrate and admire the features inherited from our Japanese ancestors– a round face, glowing skin, a soft nose. As a mixed race kid, it’s hard to feel love for every part of yourself, especially when it feels like everyone wants to tell you what you can and can’t be. Moonface takes my identity from the hands of others and returns it solely to me. By painting the moon over my face, I choose to love and accept my features, the European ones and the Asian ones. I choose to take the beauty of the moon, revered in many cultures, and use it to embrace one of my insecurities, my face shape, turning it into a celebration of my past and future. I choose to reclaim the term “Moonface,” and all the good and bad that comes with it. I choose to turn a narrative of othering and restrictive beauty standards into a story of acceptance, positivity, and confidence. Moonface is a painting of me, made for me, by me, celebrating me, and all who came before.
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Creativity means taking your deepest emotions, the fundamental essence of what makes you, you, and pouring those desires, feelings, and beliefs, into a piece- whether that's a painting, song, poem, or something else. It means expressing yourself and imagination in the most raw, human way possible- by making art.
