The segmented body in the self-portrait relief prints reinterprets the idea of "pulling yourself together.” Shin portrays herself in various ranges of tones, a reminder that this is a repetitive practice experienced over and over with small variations in the results. By representing herself through the figure of a young woman, Shin references persistent societal and personal pressures faced as a woman and member of Asian communities (particularly in the wake of pandemic-era discrimination and the continuing violence aimed at immigrant populations in the United States). Patterns of discriminatory experiences induce physical fragility and the dismantling of emotional balance.

 

During the long duration of the performance, Shin constantly applies relentless external forces to the print by using hole punches to damage it until the figure is no longer recognizable. The uncertain but repetitive motions reflect the repeated practice of self-examination. This is a process of witnessing for both insiders and outsiders to engage with the vulnerability, resilience, and the shared rhythms of shattering, healing, and adapting.