Secret Life of a Multicultural Couple
April Werle — Solo Exhibition — Bell Projects, Denver, Colorado — April 2024
Secret Life of a Multicultural Couple is an exhibition portraying the small but impactful moments where an interracial couple learn to bring together their cultural norms in their shared domestic life.
Influenced by her parents' arranged marriage, Werle's works explore themes of mixed-race identity, belonging, home, and family. She achieves this by reimagining memories and shared family stories, skillfully capturing the nuances of body language, particularly through the expressive use of hands.
Secret Life of a Multicultural Couple reimagines intimate moments, whose quoted painting titles express culture-sharing between the two characters. What do these compromises and integrations look like? Whether it’s deciding not to wear shoes inside of the house, learning to measure rice with a finger, or realizing the complexities of heritage, the culture of a mixed-race couple evolves quietly behind closed doors.
See also: “This is how you measure rice.” (2024); “…but you’re white too!” (2024); “We can send money home.” (2024); “I’ll save the forks for you.” (2024); “Use this to wash up.” (2024); “I’m not saying my culture is better than yours!” (2024); “You have to eat vegetables!” (2024); “Does this bother you?” (2024)
Read: What it’s like Being in a Multicultural Relationship; How to Eat Rice With Your Hands