父字 / Father’s Words
父字 / Father’s Words, August 24, 1964
Paul Wong, 2019
50.5″ x 67.5″
digital print on bamboo paper, edition of 2
父字 / Father’s Words, December 29, 1971
Paul Wong, 2019
50.5″ x 67.5″
digital print on bamboo paper, edition of 2
父字 / Father’s Words, June 22, 1973
Paul Wong, 2019
50.5″ x 67.5″
digital print on bamboo paper, edition of 2
Father’s Words are three letters written over a period of 9 years from 1964 to 1973. He is Suk-Fong’s father, who was a banker, goldsmith, merchant, and landowner before the communist revolution. His land, businesses, and wealth were seized during the land reforms of the 1950s. His legs were broken in politically-motivated beatings during the years he was incarcerated in a re-education prison. In his letters, he often talks about his painful foot injuries, and the ongoing need for rare and expensive Chinese medicines. Perhaps in fear of government censorship, his internationally-destined letters were carefully worded, often emphasizing the much simpler life that now existed in the new People’s Republic of China.
Each letter is presented on its own, as a triptych. Variations on a photograph of Suk-Fong’s father disappears with each proceeding letter.
Through the Riptide As A Canoe
Father’s Words triptych was presented in Quivering Scene as part of the Through the Riptide As A Canoe exhibition, Dec 28, 2023 to Mar 24, 2024, in He Xiangning Art Museum, Shenzhen, China. The exhibition is part of the art museum’s long-time research on overseas Chinese artists, focusing on their education, lives and the connections between their experiences and art. These artists, who have embraced different countries and cultures in their lives, provide fresh and diverse perspectives.
Occupying Chinatown
In addition to this triptych, Father’s Words also takes the form of a wall scroll, which featured in Paul Wong’s exhibition, 淑芳你好嘛 (Suk-Fong Nay Ho Mah) / Suk-Fong, How Are You?
父字 / Father’s Words exhibited at the OCCUPYING CHINATOWN studio from April, 2019
This work was part of Occupying Chinatown, Paul Wong’s year long residency at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Classical Garden. To see the rest of the works curated for this visit:
