Rei Xiao’s The Flea and the Acrobat presents a deeply personal exploration of trauma, spirituality, and escapism through oil paintings. Influenced by her Chinese-Turkish upbringing in Istanbul, Xiao’s self-portraits depict a childhood shaped by familial turmoil and 15 foster cats, reflecting disconnection and unconventional bonds. Through surreal imagery, grotesque whimsy, and metaphor, the exhibition examines motherhood, mental health, and unspoken gestures of care amidst chaos.
