Students were able to examine different aspects of the Chinese culture, away from an Americanized point-of-view, with the new exhibit on campus, featuring the artist Chee Wang Ng.
A Chinese immigrant from Malaysia, Ng moved to New York City over 30 years ago. His work is a contemporary portrayal of his Chinese identity.
“Eaten Your Fill of Rice?” is the oldest series in Ng’s exhibit. The project features a bowl of rice superimposed over various backgrounds. His most prominent piece features a bowl of rice in front of Andy Warhol’s iconic Campbell’s Soup Can.
Another piece shows rice over colorful vertical and horizontal stripes. These stripes symbolize the directional strokes used to write Chinese characters, a discreet play on Ng’s Chinese heritage.
Rice is a vital part of the Chinese identity—the Chinese eat rice every single day.
Historically, a bowl of rice has an even larger significance. During the Mao Zedong Cultural Revolution, the term “iron rice bowl” was used to symbolize an unbreakable bowl. This term was used to convey that having an unbreakable bowl meant you had a drop of life, livelihood and security despite the turmoil caused by the Chinese government and military.
Ng’s most recent exhibit, “Dinner Time: Chinese Diaspora Livelihood” features photographs of various Chinese take-out restaurants. The message behind this series is evident—each restaurant is practically indistinguishable from the rest.
These differing identities were expressed in a photograph of neon signs on the outside of two Chinese restaurants. The signs read, “Chinese,” “Halal,” “West Indian” and “Gayonese.” Ng explained that this photo is an accurate representation of the diversity of Chinese cuisine.
Ng’s exhibition opened his audience’s eyes to observing Chinese culture in America in an inclusive, comprehensive manner. His contemporary artwork incorporates his unique identity and speaks measures on the minority stereotypes that exist in the United States.
“Beyond a Bowl of Rice” will continue to be on display through Dec. 9.