White-eyed-wolf

二拇趾长，不养爹和娘
(If a child’s second toe is long, they won’t take care of their parents when they grow up.)

“二拇趾长，不养爹和娘” is one of the Chinese slangs emphasizing the importance of “孝道” (filial piety) in Chinese culture, loosely translated as “If a child’s second toe is long, they won’t take care of their parents when they grow up.” Growing up with a long second toe, my family teased me about it and playfully called me “白眼狼” (white-eyed wolf). This term implies ingratitude towards parents, drawing an analogy to the wild and untamed nature of wolves. I felt unjustly defined by these words. Part of me aimed to prove them wrong, while another part wondered if there was any truth in it. Interestingly, another interpretation links longer second toes to steadier walking, suggesting individuals will travel far for work, hindering their ability to physically care for parents. Despite the varied interpretations, I aim to come to terms with my past experiences, finding my own path forward. -Noah Hanyue Qin

Noah Hanyue Qin is a Chinese multidisciplinary emerging artist currently based in Toronto. She primarily engages in painting, drawing, animation, and video production. Her background in mental health studies, studio art, and social work has inspired her to explore the intersectionality of identities, cultures, representations, emotions, and mental health through her art. She is also passionate about fan art production and fascinated by the diversity of art creations that stem from a shared love for the source material, as well as the sense of community it fosters. Noah is in the process of returning to art production with a renewed focus on exploring and rediscovering the most fundamental and pure motivation for artistic creation—finding joy in the creative process itself. White-eyed-wolf is a collaboration between Noah Hanyue Qin and Midi Onodera