Self-Portrait (Smoke Break) 2005

Luke Chueh’s painting "Self-Portrait (Smoke Break)" captures the artist in a moment of pause, rendered with a distinctive blend of vulnerability and ironic detachment. Chueh is known for exploring themes of existential angst through deceptively cute imagery. Here, the artist depicts himself in a disarming panda suit, a recurring motif reflecting innocence and a desire for comfort. Yet, this cuddly exterior is subverted by the cigarette dangling from his lips, lit by a lighter held in his hand, an act of defiance or perhaps a coping mechanism. The yellow background casts a hazy light, intensifying the mood of contemplation. Chueh, who has spoken about his struggles with depression and anxiety, uses the self-portrait to explore the dissonance between external appearance and internal experience. "Self-Portrait (Smoke Break)" invites us to reflect on the complexities of identity and the masks we wear, questioning the boundaries between our public and private selves.