Created By
Hong Wai
Ink on silver Xuan paper on wood
Curator
Artbridger Curator
In the Secret Boudoir — Vanitas Series, Hong Wai masterfully intertwines the allure of intricate lace and delicate lingerie with the morbid symbolism of skulls and wilted flowers, echoing the poignant themes of mortality and transience found in traditional Vanitas art. Through the use of ink, Hong Wai skillfully captures the contrast between the ephemeral beauty of the objects depicted and the underlying reminder of life's impermanence. The collaboration with Aubade not only elevates these symbolic elements into tangible art pieces but also underscores Hong Wai's unique position as a fine artist bridging the worlds of ink painting and haute couture, adding a contemporary twist to the rich legacy of Vanitas tradition.
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
33 x 33 cm | 13 x 13 in
50 x 50 cm
2023
