Hong Wai, b. 1982 is a Shanghai born artist, raised in Macao who now lives and works in Paris, France. She holds a Master's degree from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris, specializing in "Language and Art Theory and Practice," with a research focus on "The Contemporary Expression of the Spirit of Chinese Literati Art." She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Literature from National Taiwan University. Hong Wai is inspired by Chinese literati painting, Hong Kong pop culture, and the works of French artist Sophie Calle.
Wai has been working with ink painting for nearly thirty years. In her series Secret Boudoir, she uses ink to depict European Vanitas paintings, while her Landscape series conceals and reveals mystery and delicacy amidst layered mountain ranges. The Secret Boudoir series was featured in a collaboration with the famous French lingerie brand Aubade, where French lace and Swiss embroidery techniques were used to interpret Hong Wai's ink work. This collaboration led to the launch of the Encre de Chine (Ink of China) collection in Europe, the United States, and Asia. In recent years, Hong Wai has integrated her rich cultural background and experience in the fashion industry into her artistic creations. She has produced fabric sculptures under the series Lace Calligraphy. Her works focus on Asian immigrants in Paris, exploring themes of intimacy, gender, nostalgia, and emphasizing Hong Kong pop culture. Her works have been exhibited at prestigious venues such as Sotheby's Gallery in Hong Kong, the Macao Museum of Art, solo exhibition in the Museu do Oriente in Lisbon, ART STAGE Singapore, the Taipei Art Fair, and other major international art fairs.