The concept for these prints is to explore my Chinese-Canadian identity through the 2nd generation experience. I chose to photograph three lunch dishes: bok choy with Chinese sausage on rice, black bean fish with napa cabbage on rice and dumplings. I use the food to represent people.
By projecting the text it not only darkens the mood but it represents a metaphor about the comments said about my food that made me feel isolated as if I was under a spotlight. I conducted a survey asking people what their experience was growing up with cultural food and bringing it to school. The responses I got made me feel reassured that I wasn't alone and added to the Asian-Canadian diaspora. The decision to place the dishes in a container is to build on the idea of eating home cooked food somewhere other than home.
Made with Love (1), digital print, 2018
Made with Love (2), digital print, 2018
Made with Love (3), digital print, 2018
"Made with Love" displayed at the SNAP Gallery, 2019