Vivian Chiu, Revolving Vase (9 Peaches) (ART & OBJECTS 2025)

Photos:

Vivian Chiu

Video tour

https://vimeo.com/1111462108?fl=pl&fe=sh

Country

United States of America

Expressed through a continuous reconfiguration of wood, my work explores the mechanics of identity formation and notions of visibility/invisibility within the context of my identity as a queer Asian woman. Raised in a conservative Chinese family in Hong Kong and currently residing in the U.S, I constantly navigate the conflicts and commonalities between Eastern and Western cultures. Utilizing labor-intensive woodworking methods, I address personal narratives while paying homage to my family's history in factory work. My most recent body of work consists of vessels crafted from reclaimed wooden crates gifted to me by Wing on Wo & Co. (W.O.W.), the oldest storefront in Manhattan's Chinatown renowned for its trade in porcelain ware from Asia. The crate panels are carefully deconstructed, cut into faceted pieces, and reassembled to echo the ceramic vessels they once held. This meticulous process preserves the crates' stampings and markings, tangible traces of their journey from Asia to the United States. “Revolving Vase (Nine Peaches)” reimagines an 18th-century Qianlong revolving vase, drawing inspiration from the traditional “Nine-Peaches Vase,” a symbol of longevity and immortality in Chinese culture. The outer vessel is constructed with the historic crates, while the interior features nine white peaches rendered in natural and dyed wood veneers using the double-bevel marquetry technique. Activated by turning the vase’s neck, the inner structure rotates to reveal the fruit scene within. This piece invites viewers to consider themes of cultural preservation, craftsmanship, and memory through the language of metaphor and movement.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.