LONG TIME NO SEE
好久不見
(2023–2024)
On view at Museums at W&L || Catalogue || Exhibition Companion
LONG TIME NO SEE is a series of still life photography- and motion-based installations that delve into the complexities of the diasporic experience in America: presence/absence, integration/alienation, trauma/healing. The project mines the Asian export porcelain collection at the Museums at Washington & Lee, drawing pieces from before the first major waves of Asian immigration to the U.S. in the 1800s through the early 20th century. In the project, I directly intervene in the ongoing biographies of these export ceramics—themselves also diasporic objects—and create layered conversations with archival materials, personal experiences, art and cultural histories, and the natural world around southwestern Virginia, where the ceramics now reside. Much of the diasporic experience involves grappling with the continued amputation of the context of our origins, histories, and cultural practices when we are perceived as cultural “others” in American society. In weaving together historical and contemporary Asian American experiences, this project reclaims narrative agency and celebrates a transfer of power back to diasporic voices.
This project and exhibition is supported by the Museums at Washington and Lee Artist Research and Artist Residency Program and the Terra Foundation for American Art.
(Install images by Shaun Roberts.)
For print availability, please contact me.
美(國)人 (The Rose Piece)
2023. Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, mylar, tape, plexiglass, ceramics from the Museums at W&L collection. 84x48" print/88x52" framed.
Entanglement
2023. Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, mylar, tape, plexiglass, ceramic from the Museums at W&L collection. 40x53" print/46x59" framed.
Teapot, 1725–1775.
Plate, 1875–1890.
The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need give all lawful aid and protection (The Butterfly Piece)
2023. Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, plexiglass, ceramic from the Museums at W&L collection. 36x53" print/42x59" framed.
Peaches (Un)covered by a Handkerchief
2023. Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, plexiglass, ceramic dish (1550–1620) from the Museums at W&L Collection. 44x30" print/50x36" framed.
Still Life with Cake
2023. Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, plexiglass, ceramic sugar bowl (1800–1810) from the Museums at W&L Collection. 30x24" print/34x28" framed.
Drive Out the Pig (拱豬)
2023, Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, plexiglass, and Gogh family armorial porcelain ceramics (1710–1735) from the Museums at W&L Collection. 56x33.56" print/60x38" framed.
Dad's Favorite, Mondays
2023, Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, mylar, tape, plexiglass, and ceramic mustard pot (1630–1644) from Museums at W&L collection. 40x30" print/44x34" framed.
Gilding the Lily
2023, Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, plexiglass, and ceramic censor/tureen (1700–1735) from Museums at W&L collection. 46x60" print.
Corn Soup
2023, Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, mylar, tape, plexiglass, and ceramic censor/tureen (1700–1735) from Museums at W&L collection. 46x60" print.
Devil's Work
2023, Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, plexiglass, and teapot (1695–1705) from Museums at W&L collection. 27x36" print, 33x42" framed.
Dead Goldfish
2023, Looping video. 24" HD monitor (13.3x221.x1.6")
I'm Gonna Live Forever
2023, Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper with bowls (1736–1820) from Museums at W&L collection. 44x52" print, 52x58" framed.
Rooster
2023, Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper with soup plate (1730–1740) from Museums at W&L collection. 54x40.5" print.
掃墓 (For the Lost)
2023, Altered archival pigment print on bamboo paper, plexiglass, joss paper, and shipwreck ceramics (c. 1300–1822) from Museums at W&L collection. 64x48" print.
Sky Full of Stars
2023, Archival pigment print on bamboo paper. 40x50" print.
