Created By
Hong Wai
Lace Calligraphy Sculpture
Curator
Artbridger Curator
HONG Wai's "Why Why Tell Me Why" delicately intertwines text, texture, and cultural references to create a multi-layered artistic experience. The meticulous manipulation of lace to form the repetitive "WHY" phrase not only showcases the artist's technical prowess but also invites viewers to contemplate the emotional weight behind each intricately folded letter. By juxtaposing the fragility of lace with the powerful lyrics of Anita Mui's song, HONG masterfully blurs the boundaries between language, materiality, and memory, offering a compelling exploration of identity and expression within the Hong Kong cultural context.
This work presents four rows of manipulated black lace arranged to form the repeated phrase "WHY WHY TELL ME WHY." Each row of text is crafted through precise pleating and folding of delicate lace material, with the intricate floral and geometric patterns of the fabric creating additional visual texture throughout. The composition is photographed against a white background, allowing the lace's transparency to cast subtle shadows that echo the text forms. The scalloped edges of the lace remain visible, integrating the material's inherent decorative elements into the overall aesthetic. Each "WHY" maintains its individual character while contributing to a rhythmic visual arrangement that suggests both uniformity and variation.
Created By
Hong Wai
55 x 93 cm | 22 x 37 in
15 cm | 6 in
2024
