Race for Sanctuary: Cultural Barrier Inspirations

The inspirations behind the cultural barriers I designed—The Burning Stare, The Cryptic Beam, and The Inhospitable Guardian—stem directly from my personal experiences navigating cultural differences.

When I first arrived in the Western world—the United States and Western Europe—I stood out as an Asian individual in predominantly non-Asian communities. My appearance drew attention from those around me, some of it curious and some of it hostile. This constant awareness of being visibly different often made me uncomfortable. It reminded me that cultural barriers are what separate people, preventing genuine connection. These experiences inspired me to create The Burning Stare, a representation of that intense gaze—a mix of curiosity and judgment—that can feel both oppressive and isolating.

During my middle and high school years, I attended an international school where students from various cultural backgrounds came together to learn and grow in a foreign environment. I formed close friendships with many Korean classmates. But, there were moments when they would speak exclusively in Korean, leaving me feeling disconnected from their conversations. This language barrier created a sense of exclusion, an invisible wall that I couldn't cross. This experience led me to conceptualize The Cryptic Beam, symbolizing the barriers of language and communication that can prevent mutual understanding.

Growing up in Shanghai and going to an American international school, I was exposed to both Western and Eastern cultures. However, this dual exposure often left me feeling like I belonged fully to neither. Many locals in my hometown perceived me as too Westernized, regarding me as a foreigner despite my shared heritage. Meanwhile, I never felt entirely accepted in the West either. The hostility and judgment I sometimes faced from locals in Shanghai made me fearful and resentful. This experience of being caught between two worlds—neither fully accepted nor fully belonging—inspired The Inhospitable Guardian, a representation of ignorance and prejudice that keeps people divided.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the talented artists who helped bring my vision to life. Keegan Najera, Samantha Gonzalez, and Sebastian Amirola infused these cultural barriers with powerful visual elements—from making the meteors more intimidating to ensuring the lasers appeared cryptic and the coins captivating. Your contributions made these barriers feel both real and meaningful.