Wen-hao Tien is a visual artist, community artist, and educator. Her studio practice focuses on language and translation, and explores culture and identity through a cross-cultural lens. Wen-hao is also Assistant Director at Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies for the Study of Asia.

In her professional role, Wen-hao builds interdisciplinary scholarly communities as well as enhanced visual tools for global studies. Originally trained in biomedical sciences and public health, Wen-hao’s work often draws inspiration from biological nature. Wen-hao is currently the artist-in-residence at the Pao Arts Center, Boston, MA, where she engages the community through her project “Unveiling Boston Chinatown”. 

Lesley University (MFA ‘19) | Columbia University (MPH) | IG @wenhaotien | Her website

Foraging in the woodland behind the house in Vermont where my family is staying, I have been pleasantly surprised to find many species of colorful wildflowers sprouting under a single tree. The colorful wildflowers are the result of a complex web of germination and symbiosis that is occurring underground. Exploring the subterranean world of ephemeral woodland flowers reveals how interdependent the root systems of various plant species are - like social networks!

These woodland flowers (Red Trillium, Trout Lilly, Bloodroot…) live only between the time the ground thaws and the deciduous trees sprout leaves that starve the flowers of sun. An “accurate” sketch of this site must begin below the ground level - from the bottom up. Aboveground it looks simple, but underground it’s complicated.

Solitary time during COVID-19 has pushed me to look below the surface of things. Days are filled with tasks aimed at achieving big ideas-and I feel busier than before. Many friends say the same. What are the big ideas?

If we want 2021 to yield a rejuvenated world, shouldn’t we be busy preparing our fields? Can we learn from the ephemeral wildflowers and build an underground network to support the miracle of rebirth?

To read the accompanying essay piece to “Life Underground”, and to see her other works, please visit Wen-hao’s site here.