Throughout childhood, I was teased for having prominent front teeth—nicknamed "beaver" and "rat." In 1970s and 80s Japan, braces were a luxury reserved for the affluent, leaving me isolated and self-conscious. These experiences shaped lasting coping behaviors: grabbing my teeth, covering my mouth when I laughed.

B(D)ee-vah emerged from this personal journey of grappling with self-image, evolving into a broader exploration of how our appearances—particularly our teeth—shape identity and social standing. This 10-piece sequential performative drawing delves into the relationships between social anxiety, colonization, and the constructs of beauty and luxury within the dental economy.