On a warm evening at Fou Gallery in New York City, nearly fifty guests gathered in person—and many more joined virtually—for an intimate and inspiring event that blurred the lines between art, literature, and community. Serica Storytellers: The Duality of Identity brought together author Daniel Tam-Claiborne and artist Naomi Okubo for an evening of shared insights into the complexities of belonging, creativity, and the many ways we learn to see ourselves.

Hosted by Serica Initiative’s Event Director Michelle Maiuri, the evening began with heartfelt welcomes from Michelle and gallery founder Echo He, who shared Fou Gallery’s mission to create a space where culture and conversation can flourish. Echo also introduced sponsors AccentSisters and Teasthetic, whose teas added to the evening’s warm atmosphere.

Daniel set the tone with a reading from his acclaimed debut novel, Transplants. The excerpt traced the arrival of Lin, a Chinese student stepping into the United States for the first time—a moment of cultural collision and quiet vulnerability that resonated with many in the room. As Lin observed small details—shoes left at the doorway, unfamiliar smells, the careful negotiation of language—Daniel’s prose illuminated how identity can feel simultaneously invisible and all-consuming.

Naomi then guided us into her own layered world. She shared her unique, time-intensive artistic process: unpacking old kimonos, designing and sewing dresses for her self-portraits, and building intricate collages from photographs before finally translating them onto raw canvas. Naomi explained how her process is a quiet rebellion against the speed and efficiency of contemporary life—an intentional slowness that honors memory, material, and self-reflection.

Naomi explained these faceless self portraits are a way for onlookers to explore their own identity.

Throughout the discussion, Naomi spoke about her fascination with enclosed spaces—greenhouses, decorated rooms, and domestic interiors that seem inviting and protective but are also sealed off from the outside world. These spaces, she explained, embody the tension between comfort and control: places that can nurture us while also encouraging passivity and conformity. Her art invites viewers to look deeper beneath the beautiful surfaces and question the hidden structures shaping our lives.

Daniel reflected on the complex geopolitical backdrop of Transplants, describing how he wanted to write a story that neither romanticizes nor vilifies the U.S. or China. By centering two women’s intersecting journeys, he hoped to reveal the nuanced realities behind headlines—how culture, history, and belonging shape us in ways that are sometimes contradictory and always deeply human. He also spoke about the idea of pan-Asian solidarity: its potential as a unifying force, and the historical tensions that can stand in the way.

One of the most moving moments of the night came when Naomi shared a story about an art fair in London. A French woman stood before one of her faceless self-portraits and said simply, “That’s me.” Despite differences of age, culture, and language, the two connected over shared experiences of family and identity, and are still friends today. It was a reminder of art’s extraordinary ability to cross boundaries and build bridges.

The evening concluded with a guided tour of Naomi’s exhibition led by the curator, Lu Solano, who offered deeper insight into her paintings, clothing designs, and the personal narratives that inspire them.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special program, whether in person or online. We are especially grateful to Fou Gallery, TeaEsthetic, AccentSisters, and our talented speakers for making this gathering possible.

If you missed the event or would like to revisit the conversation, you can watch the full recording on our Youtube.

👉 Explore more of Naomi Okubo’s work: Fou Gallery Exhibition

👉 Purchase Daniel Tam-Claiborne’s Transplants: Simon & Schuster

Stay tuned for more Serica Storytellers programs, where we celebrate the voices shaping the Asian diaspora experience and preserve legacies for others to embrace at anytime.