Created By
Hong Wai
Ink on golden Xuan paper on wood
Curator
Artbridger Curator
Hong Wai's Secret de Boudoir - Vanitas Series delves into the rich symbolism of European Vanitas paintings, offering a contemporary reinterpretation that intertwines beauty with mortality. Through intricate ink renderings of lace lingerie and delicate perfume bottles juxtaposed with macabre skulls, the artist invites viewers to contemplate the transient nature of life and the allure of vanity. The collaboration with Aubade elevates these themes, merging traditional artistry with haute couture techniques to create a collection that blurs the boundaries between fine art and fashion, underscoring Hong Wai's unique position as a trailblazer in the realm of artistic partnerships.
Hong Wai was inspired by European Vanitas paintings, a special genre that primarily consists of still-life works, which emerged in the early 17th century in the Netherlands. Vanitas paintings use allegorical objects with strong symbolic meanings, such as skulls representing death or wilted flowers symbolizing aging. In this series, Hong Wai uses ink to depict lace-adorned lingerie, high heels, perfume bottles, skulls, and other objects. Though they may appear captivating at first glance, they are symbolic elements of Vanitas art. This series was part of a collaboration with the renowned French brand Aubade, using French lace and Swiss embroidery techniques to interpret Hong Wai’s ink art, resulting in the Encre de Chine lingerie collection, which was launched in Europe, the United States, and Asia. Each year, Aubade collaborates with an internationally renowned haute couture designer to release a special collection. Past collaborators have included famous designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Iris Van Herpen, and Christian Lacroix. Hong Wai is the only fine artist (non-designer) to have been invited for such a collaboration.
Created By
Hong Wai
Framed
95 x 60 cm | 37 x 24 in
2023
