Jennifer Ling Datchuk American, b. 1980

“Take It Easy was inspired by this idea to be gentle on oneself, to slow down, and reflect on the moment instead of way into the future. I always wanted to make something with the toy marketed as the “Chinese finger trap”, the finger puzzle used as a practical joke where fingers are trapped in a woven bamboo cylinder and as the person tries to release from it, it tightens the trap. I use this as a metaphor to take a deep breath, release, and overcome by taking it easy. A finger trap is the bridge and unifier between two porcelain vases adorned with peaches - a Chinese symbol of longevity, long life, and perpetual vitality. The two snakes - symbolize outside evils tighten around the vases, causing them to constrain the vases.”- Jennifer Ling Datchuk