This is an expression of how women are ready to break through in the digital space and era. We are ready to embrace a different kind of power. One that sees different attributes as strengths such as empathy, appreciation, intuition and grace. “Rebirth of Venus,” is about challenging stereotypes of strength and femininity. It also recognizes our softness as power. Water is fluid and ever-changing, yet it can break through solid stone and flood lands. It nourishes and sustains all life forms on this planet. As the title suggests, this pays homage to Botticelli’s iconic Venus. My hope is that “Rebirth of Venus” inspires a broader perspective of what feminine power is. “Soft power means embracing the support of your team, creating a sense of trust and empowerment, and understanding the importance of replenishment.” - Dr. Joanna Martin

Kelly Lan Hsiao (b. 1978, Taiwan) is a photographer who lives and works in Hawaii. Graduated with a BA from Pratt Institute, NY in 2000, she focuses on underwater photography and the feminine form. Her work has been described as "photography as 19th Century painting" and "images that would be a dream come true around the circle of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in England, circa 1880's" by Vivien Knussi, art historian and former lecturer at MoMA. Her photography has been exhibited in galleries in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, Madrid, and held in private collections all over the world.