The Princess and the Pea was inspired by the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, which tells the story of a princess who can't fall asleep because of a pea hidden under her mattress. On its surface, the story and the painting seem whimsical and charming, but there is also a personal connection that is brought to life. Like all of Andersen’s works, it’s a story about his own experience. The author’s rapid admittance into upper-class society as a writer was mirrored by his trepidation of those he now found as contemporaries, creating a conflict of seeking success that he also questioned.

As an artist, I’m still quite unfamiliar with the art world and feel uncomfortable with the social aspect of formal galleries, relationships with collectors, and the pursuit of “success”, which is something I never experienced in my previous life. However, as time goes by, I have slowly realized that everyone is going through their own difficulties and sorrows. I thought most people were different from me, with the details of their lives figured out. But I am starting to understand, little by little, that the princess may just want a good night’s sleep, but me, I want to find the pea.

We are all living with our own challenges, and it’s our task to find the rewards.

2024

Oil on canvas

18 x 15 in/46 x 38 cm