Original Art Piece

The man in the rear mirror symbolizes the romantic relationship in the past. The view from the front symbolizes now and the future. We can look at the rear mirror every once in a while for reference when we are driving, but we have to stay focused on what is in front of us, not behind us. Life is like driving, we can’t dwell on the past, no matter how beautiful it was. Like Oscar Wilde said, “What past is past”. The hand with a ring on the middle finger putting on the steering wheel symbolizes the woman who has freedom and control of her life. To the women who still live in the past: You have choice and power, and you can control your direction, no matter how much you are obsessed with the past, please move on, there’s a brighter future waiting for you.

Haocun (Sandra) Cao holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and worked in the field of HR for over seven years until November 2017, when her life took an unexpected turn. The sudden passing of her mother deeply affected her, leading her to reassess her life and career.
Several months later, Sandra saw some paintings displayed in an art studio accidentally, which ignited a spark within her. Feeling rejuvenated, she decided to learn how to paint and draw. She pursued this newfound passion by enrolling in the Fine Arts Studio program at Centennial College, where she studied from September 2022 to June 2024. In March 2024, she was accepted into OCAD University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Drawing and Painting, where she will continue her studies in the fall of 2024.

In 2023, Sandra worked as an art instructor for summer camps organized by the Tzu Chi Foundation Canada and an after-school program at an elementary school. Previously, she worked for the Provincial Government in New Brunswick and multinational companies in Shanghai, China such as Christian Dior, Sanofi Pharmaceuticals and Qiming Venture Partners, etc.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Creating art became a therapeutic outlet for me during the pandemic, and it has evolved into a profound passion over time. My inspiration springs from personal life experiences, including significant relationship changes and travels. My work primarily explores themes of change and relationships, delving into the emotional reactions from a woman’s perspective.

I am particularly captivated by how women navigate life's transformations, such as the loss of a family member, the end of an intimate relationship, and the complex interplay between self, others, nature, time, and religion. Through my art, I express my reflections and emotions on these multifaceted changes and relationships, offering a glimpse into my inner world and inviting viewers to connect with their own experiences.