Gwenessa Lam : The Articulate Object Opening

Join us for FREE at Gwenessa Lam's Exhibition Opening Night!

Date: January 27th, 5pm - 7pm

Families are welcome. Alcohol bar is available for 19+. 

The “Articulate Object” considers a particular Chinese legend, where objects become key players in blurring the lines between historical fact and fiction. The legend of Fusang is a 7th Century tale describing the travels of a Buddhist monk, Hui shen, along the coast of the Americas in the latter part of the 5th Century. Fusang was the name given to the land where Hui shen had travelled.

There is little historical and archaeological evidence of the monk’s journey; however, there have been claims that a few ancient Chinese urns and coins were found off the coast of British Columbia. Amateur archaeologists have used these findings as proof of early encounters between Indigenous and Chinese communities related to Fusang. As an artist of Chinese heritage raised in British Columbia, Lam is interested in these reports, even if speculative. “The Articulate Object” builds on these narratives through a series of drawings and photographs examining the documentation of these found artifacts. 

The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese is honoured to be presenting this body of work from Gwenessa and believes that this work brings great meaning to so much of the histories, identities and cultures that are being discovered, questioned and reexamined and are so glad that the garden can be part of this dialogue.

RSVP FREE Tickets before we sell out! 

NOTE: Due to limited capacity, please return your ticket if you are unable to attend to allow others to join. 

Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout the event. These will be used by the Garden on social media, publications and such.