Christie Wang

Overwork

Overwork explores the pervasive glorification of work culture, critiquing how labour is romanticized and internalized as a measure of self-worth. This collection of acrylic paintings interpret the cultural and psychological consequences of workaholism, drawing from both historical and contemporary contexts.
By integrating research with visual storytelling, this collection reflects on the emotional and physical toll of relentless productivity. It questions the systems that enforce overwork culture and invites viewers to reconsider ambition, success, and self-worth beyond exhaustion. Through its exploration of labour, identity, and societal expectations, Overwork challenges the deeply ingrained belief that one’s value is solely determined by their output.

Media

Painting of seven white-haired women, dressed in identical red outfits, linked at the hands and intertwined braids. They form a circle around a glowing computer.
MX2025_Christie_Wang_item2 Painting of a woman in a white outfit standing on a farm. A white-picket fence stretches behind her, with a barn visible in the distance. Two sheep rest at her feet.
Bird's-eye view painting of three office desks on a black-and-white checkered floor. The desks on either end are occupied by workers, while the middle desk has been transformed into a memorial for a deceased coworker.
Portrait painting of a red-haired woman smoking a cigarette.
Painting of a woman holding her newborn baby, standing outside a conference room. Through the window beside her, two women inside appear to be gossiping, their expressions suggesting judgment or exclusion.
Painting of a white-haired woman in a blue dress, laying horizontally along public transit seats, her body stretched out as if resting or resigned.