Created By
Wai Hong
Ester lave sculpture
Curator
Luke Chapman
In the Lace Calligraphy – Parisian Life Series, Hong Wai captures the essence of Asian immigrants' experiences in Paris through the delicate medium of lace calligraphy. Each piece is inspired by interviews with individuals who select a word that encapsulates their unique journey in the city. For instance, Lily, an artist who has lived in Paris for 18 years, chose the character "夢" (Mèng - Dream) to express her feelings of dislocation and longing for her homeland, Hong Kong. She reflects on the duality of her existence, questioning whether her life in Paris is merely a dream compared to her memories of Hong Kong. This poignant exploration of identity and belonging is beautifully rendered in lace, transforming personal narratives into a visual language that intertwines cultural heritage with contemporary experiences. Through this series, Hong Wai not only honors the complexities of immigrant life but also elevates their stories into art that resonates with universal themes of aspiration and reality.
The Lace Calligraphy–Parisian Life series involves interviewing Asian immigrants in Paris, asking them to choose a word that represents their life in the city. Hong Wai then transforms their private feelings into hardened voices through lace calligraphy, with each word representing a unique Parisian experience. 夢 (Mèng - Dream):Lily, who has been living in Paris for 18 years, is an artist. She chose the character "夢" (dream) to represent her Parisian experience: "Sometimes I dream about life in Hong Kong, and when I wake up, I realize I’m living in Paris. Sometimes I ask myself, maybe my entire experience in Paris is just a dream, and life in Hong Kong is the real one—who knows?"
Created By
Wai Hong
Framed
55 x 50 cm | 22 x 20 in
15 cm | 6 in
2024
