Saturday 20th May
1 - 2:30pm
the Gallery
Free
Jacqueline Trinh, Chyna Lily, Kerry Ann Lee (L-R) Simon L Wong, Grace Ko and Matt Yee
Kerry Ann Lee will facilitate a discussion with the artists of the exhibition Sailing Lanterns. Chyna Lily, Simon L Wong, Grace Ko, Matt Yee and Jacqueline Trinh will share narratives about their Asian/New Zealand ethnicity and what it means to be an Asian artist living in contemporary Aotearoa. This talk will touch on how they navigate their cultural identity along with the experiences of generational trauma. The artists will discuss how they accept, reconnect and celebrate their cultural traditions through their art practice.
Artists Biographies:
Simon L Wong
Simon L Wong: “Growing up, I have always faced the internal conflict of my physical presence, from the shape of my eyes, to my nose and lips. At a young age I was dissed and humiliated for what people called a “flat face”. It’s not until recently I pondered on how I am a reflection of the people before me, and the people who raised me. I hope this exhibition brings light to this issue, and allows viewers to accept who they are. Conventional beauty is tiring, be confident in the differences that make you you.”
Simon L Wong focuses on photography with the challenge of presenting his work beyond digital/print format. One of his pieces will include a walk-through curtain with an intimate portrait that focuses on the model's facial features. And other works will include collaborative prints with Chyna, and a table setting.
Chyna Lily
Chyna Lily: "Fitting into the dusky maiden stereotype, I attracted unwanted attention and was objectified from a young age due to a Westernized view of ethnic women. Young and naive, I grew up expecting to be sexualized and often wish I were born with different features. I am now on a long journey of unpacking trauma and reconnecting with ancestral traditions. I hope our works help others visualize shared experiences and encourage conversations of acceptance."
Chyna Lily provides the welded copper works displayed throughout the space, her photographic works and immersive installations were all collaborative works alongside Simon in curating this cohesive space. These include the photobook, large-scale prints & the yum char table setting, inspired by both of their childhood experiences of healing with food.
Grace Ko
Grace Ko “I remember standing in the corner of the hall at the year 10 dance thinking no boys would ever pick me because I was Chinese; my hair colour the opposite of most, my flat nose and eyes that weren’t round. Coming of age parallel to western beauty standards was a punishing experience and I still wonder if it was the reason I went through my blonde hair phase during uni. On top of my physical appearance, I was also hyper aware of my parent’s immigrant lifestyle. They own a retail shop in Porirua and work endlessly to provide for me so that I can have the freedom to lean into creativity and not survival. But what is their creative potential, if they had the resources that I had?”
Grace Ko uses wigs and Chinese calligraphy to explore what it means to be Asian in a world that favours western beauty standards and also the lost creative potential of her immigrant parents as well as her own current creative potential. She uses stock that would typically be found in her parent’s retail store and Chinese practices she has grown up with, to marry the two narratives.
Jacqueline Trinh
Jacqueline Trinh: “Growing up across cultures I have never felt like I truly belonged, constantly being told that I was odd. Features that were neither Eastern nor Western, an awkward blend of both. As I grew older - I realised that I had a lot of internalised racism. I adhere to beauty standards that weren’t suited for me and in turn made me insecure. I was always at odds with my appearance, persistently straightening my curls and bleaching my black hair, a strange amalgamation of beauty standards. It wasn’t just the way I look but I grew to dislike my Vietnamese-ness, I hid it away and tried to forget that part of me. My creative practice stems from unlearning my traumas by understanding and unifying my cultural identities and heritage. In particular, focusing on and, embracing, my otherness and creating a space to which I and others like myself can belong.”
Jacqueline Trinh uses figuration and semi-abstraction to convey otherworldly vessels, evolving bodies, and transient spaces. Often infused with a sense of restlessness; a complexity that arises from displacement, groundlessness, and feelings of unhomeliness. Each component is conceived to exist in an illusory space anchored in an unfamiliar yet nostalgic memory. Nonlinear narratives, cultural motifs and strong colour palettes are applied to explore themes of diaspora, the self, nostalgia and the concept of being “too foreign for here, too foreign for home”.
Matthew Yee
Matthew Yee: “Chinese New Zealand identity is rich and diverse, every experience spread over a large spectrum. Some maintain deep ties to their ancestral culture, while others lose all traces of their heritage. I fall towards the latter end of the spectrum. Chinese culture always retained a degree of distance – geographically, spiritually, and personally. But, it always remained crucial in how others see me – relatives, peers, and especially myself.”
Matthew Yee uses Illustration and his Graphic Design knowledge to communicate themes that explore cultural identity and create spaces of open dialogue. Driven by curiosity, the core purpose throughout his work is to create experiences that shift perceptions, embrace diversity, and tell meaningful stories.
Kerry Ann Lee
Kerry Ann Lee is a visual artist, designer, scholar and educator from Pōneke Wellington, where she is Associate Professor at Toi Rauwhārangi, College of Creative Arts at Massey University. Lee’s research explores urban settlement and culture clash occurring in the Asia-Pacific region from a diasporic Cantonese perspective. As well as being Creative Director of the Asian Aotearoa Arts programme, Lee also founded the RED LETTER DISTRO. She is well known for her work with independent publications and fanzines over the past two decades, regularly working and exhibiting both nationally and internationally.
Sailing Lanterns
20 May - 16 June
Curated by Chyna Lily and Simon L Wong to provide more insight into the lives of Asian creatives in Aotearoa, Sailing Lanterns is an exhibition that guides the viewer with illuminating works throughout a domestic yet fragile scene. Hand-crafted objects including copper sculptures, printed flowing fabric and time-based work all express a desire to reconnect with ancestral traditions.
