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Gabby Malpas

Ching Chong

Ching Chong

$350.00 AUD
$350.00 AUD
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'Small Acts of Defiance'

I am a Chinese Adoptee, born in NZ, in 1966.  
I have lived, worked and studied my entire life in white spaces in 3 countries. My life experiences were, are and always will be, different to that of my white family and peers, but also: I was party to all of those conversations in the 60s, 70s and 80s about 'brown' folks, in white spaces.
 
I started finding my voice in 2014 aged 48.  I have been making 'quiet activism art' since then. A collection of statements and retorts in response to casual and racist incidents since I was about 5. 

Yellow is for power, prosperity and royalty.  It is also a play on the 'yellow peril'.  Peonies are painted with yellow backgrounds - the queen of flowers on a plate fit for royalty. The edges are raw and unfinished.  I celebrate the imperfections of the clay: I don't discard chipped or cracked wares.  This contrasts with the 40-years-of-drawing practice skill of rendering imagery onto ceramic forms and communicates the beauty and honesty of imperfection.
 
I cannot tell you how many times these scenarios have played out through the decades as my younger self - and NEVER in view of others - or others have been unaware of it happening. Over time, I accepted it as my lot, laughed along with it...but it hurt.
It was always a reminder that I was 'other, not part of the group, sexually available and open to the bs'.
 
Then I started fighting, as soon as I made art about this subject many folks who have not walked in my shoes, were outraged and expressed their disappointment and discomfort publicly. Almost instantly after posting work on social media, young Asian women messaged me to tell me that they felt seen and that they remember the FIRST time this was asked of them.
 
I am beyond angry that this is STILL a thing in 2024.

Series: ‘Stop Asian Hate’

Dimensions: Between 20 - 30cm Dia.
Materials: Cobalt oxide and yellow underglaze on midfire white clay. Clear glaze, Gold lustre.

ARTIST BIO
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