The Story Behind Beneath Her Strength
As a Hmong woman of faith, my work is deeply personal. I create through the lens of generational experiences, mental health, and identity. Art has become my way of processing what’s often left unsaid—and expressing the strength, pain, and healing that live beneath the surface. Every piece I make is a reflection of the quiet strength I’ve witnessed and the hope I’ve found in Jesus.
Title: Beneath Her Strength
Meaning Behind the Painting & Inspiration
The Making of Beneath Her Strength.
This piece is more than a painting — it’s a personal journey told through color, texture, and silence.
It tells the story of three generations of Hmong women.
Stories often left untold.
From the trauma of war and survival,
to the resilience of migration,
to the quiet fight to preserve identity in a world that asks you to forget.
As a Hmong woman, I carry those histories.
But I also carry something else
The weight of expectation in a new culture.
The pressure to honor the past while surviving the present.
I struggled to bring this piece to life.
Because before I could finish it,
I had to confront my own reflection —
My expectations.
My silence.
My strength.
It was only by looking beneath it all
that I discovered the strength I didn’t know I had.
This isn’t just art.
It’s healing.
It’s memory.
It’s identity.
The closed eyes represent the inner battles we fight silently—grief, pressure, and inherited pain. Traditional Hmong textile patterns are woven into the faces to symbolize the deep connection to our culture. But hidden within those patterns are also woven scriptures—sacred words from God that reflect the quiet but powerful presence of faith through generations.
Faith and Healing
My faith in Jesus is the foundation of this piece. His love gave me the courage to face generational pain, speak what was once silent, and receive healing. The scriptures woven into the painting represent that journey. When the weight of expectations felt too heavy to carry alone, His Word became my refuge, my identity, and my peace.
Why This Work Matters
Beneath Her Strength is more than a painting—it’s a testimony. It honors the untold stories of Hmong women, invites reflection on mental health in our community, and offers hope for healing through faith.
