Created By
Hong Wai
Ink on golden paper Xuan on wood
Curator
Artbridger Curator
In the ethereal realm of Secret Boudoir — Vanitas Series, Hong Wai masterfully intertwines the allure of ink-rendered lace with the somber symbolism of traditional Vanitas motifs. Delicately portraying lingerie, high heels, and perfume bottles alongside the stark presence of skulls, Wai's work transcends mere aesthetics to explore the transient nature of beauty and earthly pleasures. Through this collaboration with Aubade, the fusion of Wai's intricate ink artistry with the craftsmanship of French lace and Swiss embroidery unveils a hauntingly beautiful Encre de Chine lingerie collection, where fragility and opulence converge in a poignant dance of mortality and desire. This series not only showcases Wai's unique vision but also underscores the power of art to provoke introspection on the fleeting essence of human existence.
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
