THE PERFECTIONIST

“The Perfectionist” is a 20’x29’ mural located in Stratford, Ontario. Completed in the fall of 2022, the work centres around a pianist- a subject to consider representation and more specifically how Asians are represented within western culture. There are spaces and roles that are considered exclusive to Asians within dominant western culture as a result of systemic stereotyping and the depiction of the Asian figure in this piece is meant to dispel these stereotypes. The figure is confident, bold and is creating contemporary music and though the genre is unclear, he is not the prodigy of classical music that we have been conditioned to associate with Asian musicians. The subject’s home includes objects and symbols of cultural and historical significance. For example, the basketball jersey that hangs on the wall bears the name Misaka, referencing Wataru Misaka, the Japanese-American point guard who in 1947 became the first player of colour to be drafted in the history of the NBA.

Phots: Kris Von Kleist