Created By
Hong Wai
Ink on golden Xuan paper on wood
Curator
Artbridger Curator
Hong Wai's Secret de Boudoir series, Vanitas (秘密閨房), intricately weaves together the timeless themes of mortality and transience through a contemporary lens. Drawing from the rich tradition of European Vanitas paintings, the artist skillfully employs ink to render delicate lace lingerie and symbolic objects, inviting viewers to ponder the fleeting nature of beauty and worldly pursuits. The collaboration with Aubade elevates this exploration, fusing fine art with couture craftsmanship to create a truly unique Encre de Chine lingerie collection. Hong Wai's artistic dialogue with tradition and modernity in this series offers a profound meditation on the ephemeral allure of material indulgences.
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
96 x 55 cm | 38 x 22 in
50 x 50 cm
2023
