As a teenager I was briefly locked up in jail for possession of a restricted substance. This experience created a lasting fascination with power dynamics and physical barriers imposed by society. The rolling steel door ubiquitous in cities, serves as a powerful symbol of these restrictions. It represents a boundary that is often overlooked during the day, but becomes a reminder of vulnerability and exclusion at night.

Inspired by Martin Wong’s use of roll-up doors as both his canvas and subject, I delve into the duality these barriers present. They simultaneously represent a sense of security to insiders and insecurity to outsiders. The narrow sliver of visibility through the linked bars at eye level creates a paradox: it allows a glimpse inside and simultaneously reinforces the reality of being locked out. This physical barrier embodies the societal pressures to protect one’s property, to wall up and fortify against unknown and untold dangers outside.