Ministry of Things- part 01, 2005-2007  

Twelve wall assemblages: each is 4 feet W x 6 feet H, and eight digital prints: Each 66” Hx 44" W.

I would like to express my gratitude for the images ‘contributions of Anna Pai, Kwon Wing Cheung, Yat Sing Wong, Jill Ho You, Hye-Seung Jung, Christine Cheung, Alden Alfon, Ho Tam, and Kim Huynh to this project.

This project consists of a series of 12 wall assemblages and 8 digital prints, through which I explore the intriguing comparison between China and Britain in the 1500s. During this period, the Ming dynasty was notably proactive in its exploration efforts towards the West. Zheng He, an imperial eunuch, led seven remarkable oceanic expeditions between 1405 and 1433 on behalf of the Ming emperor. These voyages, unprecedented in world history, ranged from Southeast Asia to India, reaching major trading centers on India’s southwest coast, and extended as far as the Persian Gulf and the east coast of Africa in subsequent journey.

Simultaneously, I am captivated by the evolution of material life and cultural practices in Britain, especially with regard to the emerging British imperial world. This era saw significant developments in symbols and signs of global and comparative relevance, including the early establishment of family crests and shields. These elements provide a unique lens through which to view the burgeoning legacy and the power of logos in contemporary English commerce.

In an effort to bridge historical gaps and contrast identities within the context of power establishment, I have employed the works of 9 Western Asian Canadian artists. By integrating their mosaic artworks, I aim to replicate these 1500s family crests and shields, thus engaging in a dialogue between historical tensions and the interchanged subject and object.