Three Sisters Against the Snake

mixed media, 24”x36” (framed)

Women in many households tend to be the default caretaker and problem solver, even when it means to sacrifice themselves. This gender expectation is reflected in “蛇郎君 She Lang Jun” (The Snake Husband), a Taiwanese tale. The story describes that a farmer offends a snake spirit, and as a punishment, is demanded to give up one of his three daughters for marriage, otherwise face death. The youngest daughter volunteers to be the bride to save her father. After learning that the snake transforms into a handsome man with wealth, and the marriage then deemed good, the jealous eldest sister kills the youngest sister intent to replace her. To imagine a new narrative of taking care of family, and to defy the rivalry between siblings, especially among sisters, in Diana Chen’s new version of the story, the three sisters decide to work together and fight off the snake.