In 2021, I had the honor of being one of nine artists selected by MAPC’s Arts & Culture and Public Health teams to bridge the communication gap during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mission was to create vaccine outreach materials that spoke directly — and authentically — to underserved communities.
Drawing on my heritage, I chose the Cantonese/Hong Kong slang 加油! (Add Oil!) as the project’s rallying cry. More than just a translation, it served as a familiar, supportive “cheer” for the Chinese immigrant community. I translated this spirit into a suite of comics, animated GIFs, and web graphics designed to feel like a warm neighborly encouragement rather than a rigid medical mandate.
Art is a powerful tool for public health because it can translate complex safety data into a shared cultural language. These materials remain available for public use by municipalities and health agencies to continue supporting community wellness.
