Introducing a New Book for Asian Heritage Month by Canadian Author — Nancy Lam: The Loyal Daughter

Asian Heritage Month is a fitting time to celebrate authors from the Asian-Canadian community, and new to the scene is immigration lawyer Nancy Lam. Her debut novel, The Loyal Daughter, is loosely based on her mother’s journey from China (Hong Kong) to Canada, spanning from the 1940s to present day. Told through the perspectives of a mother, daughter and grand-daughter, the story speaks to the myths and realities of the immigrant journey in North America which include complex relationships and generational challenges and trauma.

Art and FashionDeborah Lau-YuMay 10, 2023Art, artists, sculptureComment

Remembering Ju Ming 朱銘, Sculptor and Artist

On April 22, 2023, the art world was saddened by the passing of sculptor Ju Ming 朱銘 who was aged 85. He was an internationally-renowned Taiwanese sculptural artist best known for his abstracted, blocky bronze and steel sculptures that masterfully depict human forms with unexpected sharp-edged shapes and a modern palette. A large number of his works are on permanent display in public areas around the world.

Personal Stories, Art and FashionFête ChinoiseMay 1, 2023Art, artists, sculptureComment

THE REINVENTION OF: CHEUK KWAN 關卓中：以生命影響生命

For 4 years, Cheuk crossed the globe, travelling to 13 countries, venturing behind kitchen doors to feature the journeys of 15 émigrés he found in each place. From Madagascar to Israel, from Brazil to South Africa, the real-life stories he uncovered along the way were more riveting than any work of fiction could ever be. Some were running from war, many from political oppression, a few from religious persecution; some were highly educated; some were farmers — yet all were forced to pick up a wok and a spatula — not because they loved Chinese food, but out of necessity.

Personal Stories, Design Dialogue, Film & Books, FilmFête ChinoiseApril 24, 2023Art, artistsComment

A SENSE OF PLACE: JENNY YUJIA SHI 施雨迦：漂流成長記

Halifax-based, multimedia artist Jenny Yujia Shi talks a lot about growing roots. This is probably because her life has been uprooted almost too many times to count. Not surprisingly, much of her creative output centres around themes of displacement and dislocation, which she attributes to two defining moments in her life: the demolition of her childhood neighbourhood in downtown Beijing and then, the decade she spent navigating the immigration process here in Canada. Shi’s work is as poignant as it is beautiful.

Personal Stories, Art and FashionFête ChinoiseApril 17, 2023Art, artistsComment

Art, Food & Family Ties: Don Kwan 關日安：尋找我那遺失的美好

This year marks a major milestone in artist Don Kwan’s family: they will be celebrating their 100th anniversary since settling in Canada back in November of 1922. One of 8 children, Kwan is part of the third generation of his family and a proud descendant of his paternal grandfather who immigrated to Canada at just 11 years of age. Part of the first wave of Chinese immigrants, his grandfather was affected by the discriminatory Chinese Immigration Act that would charge every Chinese newcomer a $50 head tax (an incredible sum in the 1920s). Like so many of that generation, his grandfather would later go back to China to marry and have children there before his family could fully emigrate to Canada after the Second World War.

Personal Stories, Art and FashionFête ChinoiseMarch 27, 2023Art, artists, ottawaComment

Vivienne Tam's New Collection – Spring Summer 2023

Vivienne Tam is a fashion designer that intentionally bridges China and the West in her work, exploring beauty and wonder in our diverse shared cultures. Now she's bridging her own fashion voice with the recently trending world of metaverse and NFTs. Her new collection on the runway at New York Fashion Week is a fun and colourful bash, incorporating instances of untamed collisions of apes to mahjong tiles, pixels and flashy hex tones on fabric.

Discovery With Her Camera: Sophia Chew

Currently 18 years of age, Sophia had an interest in the arts since childhood. It was, however, the pandemic that really pushed her into creating pieces when she was at home. In 2015, Sophia’s father gave her a Nikon D60 and lent her his camera gear. Prior to the pandemic, this camera was a constant companion, making an appearance everywhere on trips, hang-outs with friends, and neighbourhood walks.

Long Reads, Personal Stories, Art and FashionFête ChinoiseJune 6, 2022Asian Representation, Art, artists, fashionComment

IT'S BACK! SMASH AT THE GARDINER MUSEUM

The Gardiner Museum has a mission to build community with clay. It brings together people of all ages and backgrounds through the shared values of creativity, wonder, and community that ceramic traditions inspire. Proceeds from SMASH support the Gardiner’s long-running Community Access Fund, making clay programs more accessible for young people.

Mark Your CalendarFête ChinoiseJune 3, 2022Art, artistsComment

Fashion as Ritual: First Monday in May 時尚的禮儀

Before getting dressed in the morning, I wade through the dresses, blouses, skirts, jackets, scarves, hats, shoes and handbags clogging my bedroom closet and still can’t find anything to wear. It’s become a daily ritual. My tastes change with the fashion. Or is that I expect too much from my clothes? One day I wear ruffles and feel pretty, and the next a camouflage print to channel my inner warrior. My friend has trouble packing her suitcase for overseas trips because she simply cannot anticipate what her mood might be on the road. “I dress to express what I feel,” she tells me. “Or what I want to make happen on a given day.”

Art and FashionFête ChinoiseMay 2, 2022Asian Representation, Art, artists, fashionComment

Justin Wu 吳一縉 : Representation in Image Making, Media and Film 圖像媒體中尋真我

My name is Justin Wu. My mother is a fine-art painter and my late father was a doctor. Both grew up in Hong Kong before emigrating to Canada to seek a better life. Typical of many first generation Chinese-Canadians, I felt obligated to attend university and enroll in sciences and business to satisfy my parents’ desire for me to follow in my father’s footsteps. However, much to their disappointment, I tore up my medical school application at the eleventh hour and chose to pursue my passion for the arts instead.

Long Reads, Personal Stories, Film, Film & BooksFête ChinoiseMarch 30, 2022Asian Representation, Art, artists, FilmComment

PLACE DES SOUHAITS 《願望之城》: MONTREAL, QUEBEC 蒙特利爾

Montreal artist Karen Tam worked with designer Jean de Lessard to create the vibrant “Place des Souhaits/Place of Wishes” in the Quartier des Spectacles. This joyous, intergenerational public space and artwork, reminiscent of a typical Asian Night Market, welcomed visitors of all colours and creeds, while supporting local residents, families and businesses during its four-month run. It shone as a beacon of positivity and hope, highlighting the resilience of Chinatowns everywhere.

Long Reads, Personal Stories, Community & PeopleFête ChinoiseMarch 1, 2022Asian Representation, Art, artists, InstallationComment

Justine Yeung: Still Perspectives 楊應琪：電影定格

For a long time, many members of the Hong Kong film industry, both on and off screen, have moved to North America or constantly traveled between the two places for work, education, or simply in search of a better life. You can find them on film sets and post-production studios all over Hong Kong and Asia, while simultaneously making their mark in many North American film studios or international film festivals.

Long Reads, Personal StoriesFête ChinoiseFebruary 24, 2022Asian Representation, Art, artists, FilmComment