A six-piece series by Chinese-Canadian artist Reena Wu. Based in Queens, New York, Wu received her MFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts and is a licensed tattoo artist. Her drawings often combine everyday scenes with a little bit of surrealism. “So this is love” is about facing unpleasant realities in an unhealthy relationship. Specifically, how easy it is to ignore or overlook obvious truths, and the sinking feeling of finally seeing things clearly.

“The series is an exploration of that tension that occurs when there is a disconnect between what feels like two parts of yourself (i.e. the idealist and the realist). As such, doubles, shadow selves, and either the tipping point, or the aftermath of a fall repeat throughout the collection. The surreal imagery of the series is used to amplify these uncomfortable feelings.”