Ishie Wang: The name behind the face 改寫海外華裔模特兒歷史的王旖溪

You may recognize Ishie Wang’s face immediately: she is one of the prominent Asian models in Canadian advertisements for Roots, Hudson’s Bay, Sporting Life, and The Shopping Channel. From an early age, her family clearly envisioned a cultivated life of aesthetics and artistic appreciation for her. Ishie began learning piano at the age of 3 1/2, studied calligraphy and Chinese painting at the age of 4, and learned erhu at 6 and percussion instruments at 8. By the age of 11, she had completed her Grade 9 Piano certification and was recognized in numerous musical competitions.

Personal Stories, Art and FashionFête ChinoiseJune 7, 2022Asian Representation, Personal Stories, ArtComment

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

Editor’s Picks for Father’s Day

In search for something special for dad? Father’s Day is next weekend and we have a few ideas that we handpicked for you to consider! From the tech enthusiast to the tea-drinking dad to the nature lover, we have you covered.

Objects of DesireRuizhou LiJune 6, 2022Gifting, gifts, gift guide, father's dayComment

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

TRIBUTE TO FRIENDSHIP EXHIBITION

On May 25th, in celebration of Jewish and Asian Heritage month, the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto hosted the TRIBUTE TO FRIENDSHIP EXHIBITION.

Opening night highlighted the cross cultural experiences of the two cultures, and featured the works of over 25 Jewish and Chinese artists who explored the 1000 year historical legacy of the Jewish and Chinese communities.

Current AffairsFête ChinoiseMay 31, 2022Asian Representation, Personal Stories, ArtComment

Conquering hate with art + Love 用愛與藝術征服仇恨 PART No.2

Art reflects our ever-changing culture and has the ability to shift society's values and views. Racism and injustice have been a huge topics during the pandemic, magnified by the heartbreaking discovery of thousands of unmarked childrenís graves at Indigenous residential school sites, the Black Lives Matter movement, and anti-Asian racism, discrimination and violence in North America.

Conquering hate with art + Love 用愛與藝術征服仇恨 PART No.1

Art reflects our ever-changing culture and has the ability to shift society's values and views. Racism and injustice have been a huge topics during the pandemic, magnified by the heartbreaking discovery of thousands of unmarked childrenís graves at Indigenous residential school sites, the Black Lives Matter movement, and anti-Asian racism, discrimination and violence in North America.

Conquering Hate with Art and Love: on FORGIVENESS

In 2008 my mother Isabel Sun Chao and I began a decade-long journey digging into our family’s past, which we recounted in our family memoir Remembering Shanghai. My maternal grandfather Sun Bosheng was born in China in 1894, a year whose cosmological confluences portended conflict, instability and disaster. Two months before his birth, a great fire in Shanghai destroyed over one thousand buildings, and the First Sino-Japanese War broke out shortly after. By all accounts he was born with silver chopsticks; yet war, famine and political upheaval dogged him throughout his life.

Personal Stories, Design DialogueGuest UserMay 16, 2022Asian Representation, Personal Stories, ArtComment

These Eyes of Mine

I am often too focussed on how the world sees me that I sometimes forget to see myself. As a Chinese woman, one of my defining features are my eyes. These are the same eyes that were ridiculed when I was a child. I still remember the chant about them which made me feel ugly. It resides in my mind as the first time I realised I looked different from everyone else. Yet, I now love these imaginative eyes that, when closed, take me to faraway lands and places I never thought I would see. Now, I am proud of these almond eyes, eyes that guide me to paint, draw and create. I cherish them for the beauty that they let me see, in others and over the years, in myself and my journey.

Personal Stories, Art and FashionGuest UserMay 13, 2022Asian Representation, Personal Stories, ArtComment

Editor’s Top 8 Picks for Mother’s Day

If you are still looking for ideas for Mother's Day, we have some fabulous choices for you. Take a peek at some of our hand-picked objects this season, from Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired wellness to useful kitchen favourites, to heirloom jewellery pieces that will delight any mom!

Objects of DesireRuizhou LiMay 6, 2022Gifting, gifts, gift guide, mother's dayComment

CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY LAUNCHES SHOWCASE SERIES WITH ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH PROGRAMMING

The Canadian Opera Company is proud to announce the Showcase Series, a new slate of programming that spotlights a variety of cultural identities through curating performance opportunities that comprise Toronto’s unique cultural landscape. In May, the company celebrates Asian Heritage Month with a month-long calendar of events that highlights the beauty of music, cultural identity, and language, and also support an understanding of the vast range of Asian communities throughout the city.

Current Affairs, Community & PeopleFête ChinoiseMay 2, 2022Asian Representation, chinese artComment

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