Superbonanova (2023)

Jump! Kick! Punch! Superbonanova fell from the sky and landed in an earthly hell! Superbonanova battles monsters, evil villains, California's cost of living, assimilation, and Karens. Superbonanova is my mother. My capstone photography series at UCLA Design Media Arts empowers my mother with superhero alien girl powers. We dreamed up an alter ego, designed her uniform with vintage Korean pieces, spiced up my dad’s neglected nunchucks, and scouted deserted landscapes for her battle scenes. This project started with a motive to put my mom in the white cube, to turn our attention to a new protagonist. I asked her about her passions and dreams before coming to the United States and becoming a stay-at-home mom for three kids, but frankly, she couldn’t remember. In a world where domesticity is the dominant narrative of Asian immigrant mothers, Superbonanova is Bona’s rebellion. Exhibitions: "Sincerely,." Jun. 2023, Experimental Digital Arts, Los Angeles, CA. "Mothers of Koreatown." Aug. 2023, EK Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. "Mothers of Koreatown." Aug. 2023, Heavy Manners Library, Los Angeles CA.