ART BLEND 2023 in Florence

I had the opportunity to travel to Florence to participate in ART BLEND 2023, an international art exchange exhibition.

The trip was far from easy—after an exhausting 12-hour layover in Paris, we finally arrived in Florence only to find that all our family’s luggage had been lost. We even took a side trip to Pisa in search of one recovered suitcase. And to top it off, I nearly broke down in tears when we couldn’t figure out how to open the door to the apartment we had rented!

But now that it’s over, I can say: every bit of it was a valuable experience.

Florence is a city where master craftsmen still make frames for Christian religious paintings. As someone who has long admired icons, it had always been my dream to purchase a handmade frame there.

I took my time and chose several frames I truly love—each one special. Now, I’m excited to begin creating new works to fit these cherished frames. My goal is to hold an exhibition next year showcasing a collection of small paintings, each paired with one of these beautiful Florentine frames.

Through these works, I hope to bring Buddhist art closer to everyday life—to offer gentle, sacred spaces in people’s homes where they can quietly pray, reflect, or simply reconnect with themselves.