“Take It Easy was inspired by the idea of being gentle with oneself, slowing down, and reflecting on the moment rather than rushing 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 free them, the trap tightens. I use this as a metaphor for taking a deep breath, releasing, and overcoming 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 - symbolizing outside evils - tighten around the vases, constricting them.” - Jennifer Ling Datchuk