Ryan and Ava diptych
2019
Private commission

Ryan and Ava are Stephen and Stephen, my friend’s adopted children. They are brother and sister.

Stephen asked me to make a portrait of Ryan and Ava when their adoption process started in 2018. ‘I want to start collecting something for them, so they can have them later in their life.’ He said. 

Ryan was 3, Ava was 2. I spent an afternoon with them at their new foster home, observing, learning, and conversing with them. Ryan loves jumping on the trampoline and Thomas the Tank Engine. Eva’s favourite time was wandering in the home veggie gardens with her Peppa.

This Ryan and Ava diptych aims to distill their childhood memories. Stephen suggested including something to reflect children’s Vietnamese cultural background. So on the left, there’s bamboo that grows into the frame.

There is a real-felt emotion outpoured in this work. I am very grateful for Stephen’s family’s trust.