Daniel Diaz-Tai

ASEMIC N049.20

2021

Known for his erratic and expressive abstract works, Daniel Diaz-Tai uses various mixed media including sumi ink and oil to convey his unique heritage. Raised between Venezuela, Jakarta, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and the United States, Diaz-Tai was greatly influenced by his multicultural upbringing, allowing him to create his own form of visual language. His works feature asemic writing, which is based on aesthetic influence rather than verbal expression. Identifying as a Latino-Asian man, Diaz-Tai’s non-specificity writing allows him to bridge the journey of having lived in three different spheres of the world. The abandonment of rigid text is what allows for freedom in his work, and this series invites viewers of all cultures and languages to understand his journey. There is no need for legibility to grasp his emotions– the open-endedness of gestures and impressions is what attracts the eye.