{"id":310,"date":"2022-11-07T19:55:43","date_gmt":"2022-11-07T19:55:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vaala.org\/art-exhibitions\/yellow-submarine-rising\/?post_type=artist&p=310"},"modified":"2022-11-18T01:19:57","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T01:19:57","slug":"victo-ngai","status":"publish","type":"artist","link":"https:\/\/vaala.org\/art-exhibitions\/yellow-submarine-rising\/artist\/victo-ngai\/","title":{"rendered":"Victo Ngai"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Project Honor<\/p>Digital illustration on textile | 2022<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Originally displayed in various landmarks across the Bay Area in 2021, Victo Ngai\u2019s hand-illustrated portraits were a glowing, inspiring contrast to their urban surroundings. The complete artwork comprises of 55 pieces that can be shown individually, or will form a large-scale mural if shown in its entirety. Conceived by Maria Lee and with the support of GS&P and GoFundMe, Ngai\u2019s monumental artwork celebrates the joy and accomplishments of the AAPI community found in everyday moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artist Statement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

“Project Honor” is inspired by Sandra Oh’s Golden Globe award acceptance speech. The idea is to show a community of AAPI members being unapologetically proud and happy for who they are. The portraits are based on photos of my friends and family and that of the GSP creative team. The process of creating these portraits feels quite intimate. Though I am not acquainted with most of the subjects, I feel a deep connection with them after studying every curvature, line, and scar on their faces. I may not know the individuals, but I know their joy. The grinning mom at the graduation can easily be my mom, and the dad gleefully holding his newborn can well be my husband. And I hope the viewers will feel the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The artwork is composed mainly of yellows and browns, and this is to take back the narrative of racial slurs which have derogated and vilified our skin colors. Not one of the background yellows or browns is of the same hue, just as every AAPI member is unique. Gold is also an important color for this piece as it’s a much loved and revered element across many Asian cultures. A Chinese proverb about solidarity inspires the lettering: “It’s easy to break one chopstick, but they become unbreakable when put together.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The windows that house these portraits are located at the heart of SF Chinatown. They once saw Chinese Americans locked up as scapegoats for the 1900s bubonic plague. A century and more later, AAPI members are still being attacked and blamed for COVID-19. I hope it won’t take another century until we can look out our windows with no more fear or sorrow, only pride, and joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n