Karen Tam

Blood and Tears (2018) Commissioned and curated by Dunlop Art Gallery as part of the "Roadside Attractions" public art project As installed at Birch Hills Town Office and Library (Birch Hills, Canada) 2.02 x 3.59 x 1.14 m / 6.63 x 11.77 x 3.75 ft, 3 engraved and laser-cut steel panels, powder-coated Similar to a folding screen, this 3-panel cutout metal structure looks at the Chinese restaurants and cafés that dotted the Saskatchewan landscape between the 1930s and 1950s. In thinking about the history of a place, I have been researching city directories and a ledger kept by a prominent Chinese businessman in Victoria’s Chinatown in the 1930s who listed his restaurant contacts in the Prairies, many in Saskatchewan. They may have settled in those towns permanently or may have moved on, but the only trace of their existence may be in ledgers such as this one, in listings or ads in the phone directories. This sculpture is my small contribution to collecting and creating an archive of the Chinese Canadian restaurant community, and perhaps in doing so may be seen as a counter-archive and an act of resistance to what has been erased, left, out, and interpreted in public and dominant histories. Photo credits: Carey Shaw

Ornamental Gates: Ginseng, Soybeans, Grapes (2017)

Birch plywood cutout panels, wood
Dimensions of panels: 31.75 x 243.84 x 1.9 cm / 12.5 x 96 x 0.75 in. each

The three gates are a simplified version of a paifang or pailou, a traditional Chinese architectural arch or gateway that (outside of China) is found in many Chinatowns. They greet visitors to Chinatown yet at the same time, demarcate the limits and boundaries of Chinatowns. In my versions of the gates, they are decorated with wood cut-outs whose imagery are of ginseng, soybeans, and grapes; commodities traded between China and Canada. The former two are exported to China, while the grape reference is to the fledgling wine industry in China.

De l'est à l'ouest (Montréal) (2017) Birch plywood cut-out folding screen	Wild Protectors at the Mountain Pagoda I & II (phosphorescent) (2017) ABS plastic, military figurines of the Opium Wars and WWII, plexiglass

Tang Dynastic Coins (2016) Embossed Dura-lar film. 2.5 x 2.5 cm / 1 x 1 in. each

Silk Road Storm-Detectors and Blood-Sweating Horses (2016) My small herd of Ferghana horses and Bactrian camels are the start of new research I am undertaking, looking at the historical and the revived new Silk Roads as well as the oceangoing Maritime Silk Road (or “One Belt, One Road” initiative). At the same time, these paper horses and camels allude to funerary practices in China (such as the fabrication of fake paper money and paper versions of luxury items) and to the celebratory traditions of piñatas in Mexico that has spread beyond its borders. Although the Spanish origins of piñatas in Mexico is largely undisputed among historians, there is some evidence that they may actually have come from China, making its way to Spain via Italy. Connecting these two customs is the destruction of the objects (Chinese funerary paper items would be burned in offering to deceased relatives), that can bring either joy through the showering of sweets (and coins in this case) or solace to those in grief.

Galloping Silk Road Blood-Sweating Horse No. 1 (2016) Bamboo, mercerized cotton, gouache, archival tissue paper, metallic Dura-Lar Film 47.5 x 122 x 39.5 cm / 18.75 x 48 x 15.5 in	Silk Road Storm-Detector No. 2 (2016) Bamboo, mercerized cotton, gouache, archival tissue paper, metallic Dura-Lar Film 74 x 72 x 33 cm / 29 x 28.75 x 13 in	Silk Road Blood-Sweating Horse No. 2 (2016) Bamboo, mercerized cotton, gouache, archival tissue paper, metallic Dura-Lar Film 83 x 107 x 35.5 cm / 32.75 x 42 x 14 in

Castiglione's Insect Mimics (2014-2017) Sequins, steel pins, styrofoam, wool 40 x 15 x 15 cm / 15.7 x 5.9 x 5.9 in Inspired by a set of Imari-style porcelain vases in the collection of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, this series of seven triple-gourd-style vases mimics cloisonné using sequins and styrofoam. The imagery is based on the “Album of Immortal Blossoms in an Everlasting Spring,” by Italian Jesuit Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766) who was an artist at the imperial court for the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors. Rather than depicting birds, I have included crawling insect mimics who take on the appearance of other insects in order to fool predators or preys.

Peach Blossoms and Katydids (2014), Osmanthus and Phyllium Giganteum (2015), Orchid and Hymenopus Coronatus (2015), Poppies and the Masked Hunters (2015), Chrysanthemums and Dead-Leaf Butterflies (2016), Plum Blossom and Walking Stick (2016), Rosa chinensis and Thorn Bug (2017)

Sleeping Figures Nos. 1-6 (2016) Papier-mâché sculptures Approx. 48.3 x 61 x 33 cm / 19 x 24 x 13 in. each Three of the six papier-mâché sculptures are inspired by a Buddhist arhat or luohan statue in the collection of the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, whose neck was broken, and must be stored horizontally, like a sleeping figure. One depicts a movement of the luohan or luohan quan, a style of Shaolin kung fu, and the last two are based on the cover image used for another orientalist Tin Pan Alley sheet music (“Frisco’s Chinatown” (1916) with words by Ole Olsen and music by Isham Jones) depicting opium smokers lying in compartmented beds.

The Porcelain Collection (2012-present)

This series is fabricated out of card or papier-mâché to look like porcelain. What struck me when I first saw pieces such as these online and in auction house sales cataloguese, was how much they appeared (in the reproductions) to be made of painted cardboard and decorated with markers. While I would probably never be able to acquire the originals, I can in my own way come closer to them through their likeness.

The Stars of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity (2016)
Strathmore bristol board, pigmented India ink, gouache
Left: 26 x 22 x 5 cm /10.25 x 8.5 x 2 in Right: 25 x 30 x 5 cm / 9.75 x 11.75 x 2 in

The Sporting Life: Football & Golf (2015)
Papier-mâché, card, pigmented India ink, gouache
38 x 23 x 23 cm / 15 x 9 x 9 in

Shanhai Pass (2015)
Papier-mâché, card, watercolour, gouache, pigmented India ink
56 x 28 x 28 cm / 22 x 11 x 11 in

Aquatic Invaders (2015)
Papier-mâché, card, watercolour, pigmented India ink, gouache
35.5 x 20 x 20 cm / 14 x 8 x 8 in

Celestial Iznik Boxers (2015)
Papier-mâché, card, pigmented India ink, gouache
28 x 17 x 16 cm / 11 x 6.66 x 6.25 in


One Hundred Moths (2015) Papier-mâché, pigmented India ink, watercolour, gesso 52.1 x 27.94 x 27.94 cm	Dream of Flying Machines (2015) Papier-mâché, cardboard, watercolour, gouache, pigmented India ink, gesso, gold marker 47 x 24.1 x 24.1 cm	Hallstatt & Hallstatt (2015) Papier-mâché (Chinese newspaper, wallpaper past w/ fungicide and moisture protection), styrofoam, card, gouache, watercolour, gold marker, gesso 31 x 20 x 6 cm		Moonflask Tryffids (2015) Papier-mâché (Chinese newspaper, wallpaper paste w/ fungicide and moisture protection), styrofoam, card, pigmented India ink, glow-in-the-dark paint, gesso 30 x 20 x 6 cm		A Vase for Lee Nam (Famille Noire) (2016) Papier-mâché, card, watercolour, gouache, pigmented India ink 50 x 15 x 13 cm / 19.75 x 5.75 x 5.25 in


Qi Baishi's Birds and Grapes (2015) Papier-mâché, pigmented India ink, watercolour, gouache, gesso 29 x 22 x 23 cm	Left: Long Island Doorstopper , Right: Over the Moon in a Rather Tatty Old Cardboard Box (2015) Papier-mâché (Chinese newspaper, wallpaper paste w/ fungicide and moisture protection), styrofoam, pigmented India ink, gesso, clear gesso, gold marker, UV-proof varnish Left : 31 x 20 x 7 cm , Right : 31 x 20 x 6 cm		Vase en porcelaine sang de boeuf (2015) Papier-mâché, gouache, gesso, clear gesso 37 x 20 x 19 cm	Inception Vase (2015) Papier-mâché (Chinese newspaper, wallpaper paste w/ fungicide and moisture protection), pigmented India ink, gesso, clear gesso 46 x 21 x 22 cm


Minoan Octopus Moonflask (2015) Calligraphy by Lui Luk Chun Papier-mâché (Chinese newspaper, wallpaper paste w/ fungicide and moisture protection), styrofoam, pigmented India ink, gesso, UV-proof varnish 31.9 x 20 x 6.19 cm			Blue Ground Dragon Hexagonal Hat Stands (2013) Cardboard, papier-mâché, gouache, acrylic paint, gold ink 13 x 28.5 x 13 cm


Intervention in the Chinese Bedroom at Saltram House (Saltram, UK), replacing an antique vase with Moonflask hauled around in a cardboard box (2012)	Left: Moonflask hauled around in a cardboard box, Right: Capt. Edward Watkins Whittington-Ince Moonflask (2012) Papier-mâché, Chinese newspaper, cardboard, Styrofoam, paint, marker Each 29 x 15 x 6.5 cm		Scrolls & Stand (2012) As installed at Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery Papier-mâché, cardboard, paint 47 x 18.4 x 18.4 cm


Nightingale Umbrella Stand (2012) Cardboard, papier-mâché, paint 47 x 18.4 x 18.4 cm	China in the Attic: Surrey Widow (2012) Papier-mâché, watercolour, colour pencil, gold marker 28 x 17 x 18 cm	Ionides Famille Verte Biscuit Brushpots (2012) Set of 2. Card, ink, gouache 14 x 14 x 14 cm each	Intervention in the Sitting Room at Saltram House (Saltram, UK), replacing an antique with one of two Ionides Famille Verte Biscuit Brushpots (2012)


Intervention at Danson House (Bexleyheath, UK), with Ionides Famille Verte Hexagonal Lantern (2012)	Ionides Famille Verte Hexagonal Lantern (2012) Card, gouache 16 x 19 x 19 cm		Morgan Famille Verte Biscuit Lantern (2012) Card, gouache 17 x 17 x 17 cm

The Silver Collection (2011-present)

Consisting of faux Chinese export trade "silver" objects made out of aluminium or found stainless steel objects, and to displayed with an assortment of actual silver antiques.

Pierced Pizza Pan with Petals (2016)
Aluminium cutout, 33 x 33 x 1.3 cm / 13 x 13 x 0.5 in

Pizza Pan with Pierced Bamboo and Birds (2016)
Aluminium cutout, 33 x 33 x 1.3 cm / 13 x 13 x 0.5 in


Leopard's Head: Pierced Bamboo Silver Bottle Coaster (2015) Cut aluminium 13 x 10 x 10 cm	Bamboo and Birds Pierced Box (2015) Embossed and cut aluminium 8 x 20 x 10 cm		Bird and Flowers Menu Holder (2015) Set of 4 Embossed and cut aluminium 8 x 7 x 4 cm each


Luen Wo Pierced Dragon Dish (2012) Aluminium cutout 22.9 x 17. 8 x 6.4 cm		Wang Hing's Dragon Basket I (2011) Aluminium cutout 27 x 27 x 5.5 cm	Wang Hing's Dragon Basket II (2011) Aluminium cutout 29 x 22.5 x 6.5 cm


Bird & Blossoms Hip-Flask (2012) Engraving on a stainless steel hipflask 7.62 x 6.35 x 3.81 cm	Bamboo Hip-Flask (2012) Engraving on a stainless steel hipflask 7.62 x 6.35 x 3.81 cm	Mushu Hip-Flask (2012) Engraving on a stainless steel hipflask 7.62 x 6.35 x 3.81 cm


Left: Coolie Holder, Right: Swine Pearl Holder (2012) Embossed and cut aluminium 5.08 x 7.62 x 3.81 cm	Pair of Chrysanthemum Menu-Holders (2011) Embossed and cut aluminium 5.08 x 7.62 x 3.81 cm each	Set of Basket Menu-Holders (2012) Set of 4, cut aluminium Each 7.62 x 5.1 x 3.81 cm


Wang Hing's Olive Forks (2012) Set of 2 Aluminium 11.43 cm in length	Pickle Forks (2012) Set of 2 Aluminium 14 cm in length	Rickshaw Sugar Spoon (2012) Aluminium 12.7 cm in length	Chinese Export Silver Belt Buckle (2012) Cut aluminium 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.32 cm	Schwechater's Stands (2011) Set of 2 cut-out aluminium beer cans Each 15.24 x 6.35 x 6.35 cm

Lacquered Papier-Mâché (2012-present)

Faking antique Chinese export lacquer papier-mâché objects out of...Chinese newspapers

Eastern Star Cruise (2015)
Papier-mâché (Chinese newspaper, wallpaper paste w/ fungicide and moisture protection), gouache, gold marker
20.48 x 28.26 x 1.59 cm

Geungsi Paradise: Techno Dam (2015)
Papier-mâché, gouache, gold marker
24.77 x 34.93 x 2.54 cm

Meet & Greet: Tray V (2015)
Papier-mâché (Chinese newspaper, wallpaper paste w/ fungicide and moisture protection), gouache, gold marker
12.38 x 29.24 x 7 cm

Geungsi Paradise: See how they dance! (2015)
Papier-mâché (Chinese newspaper, wallpaper paste w/ fungicide and moisture protection), gouache, gold marker
12.38 x 29.24 x 7 cm


The Intellectual Zombie's Bread Tray (2012) Papier-mâché, Chinese newspaper, paint, gold marker 26 x 16.5 x 3.8 cm		Geungsi Paradise: Card Tray I (2012) Papier-mâché, Chinese newspaper, paint, gold marker 25.4 x 35.6 x 2.5 cm	Geungsi Paradise: Card Tray II (2012) Papier-mâché, Chinese newspaper, paint, gold marker 25.4 x 35.6 x 2.5 cm


Cheer up Blue Moon! (2012) Papier-mâché, paint, gold marker Each 17.1 x 17.1 x 3.8 cm	Rickshawing Along the Lake: Trays (2012) Papier-mâché paint, gold marker Each 25.4 x 25.4 x 3.2 cm	Meet & Greet: Trays I-IV (2012) Papier-mâché, Chinese newspaper, paint, gold marker 12.7 x 25.4 x 2.5 cm	Garden of the Geungsi (Hopping Zombies) Wall Bracket Shelf (2012) Foam-board, hinges, paint, marker 24.1 x 25.4 x 17.8 cm	Geungsi at Play (Ping-Pong) Bracket Shelf (2012) Foam-board, hinges, paint, gold marker 26.7 x 18.4 x 13.3 cm

Chinese Kingfisher Silver Ornaments Collection (2013-present)

These kingfisher pieces are my fakes of antique Chinese kingfisher ornaments, fabricated from more accessible materials such as feathers used for fly-fishing, rhinestones, aluminium oven trays from the dollar-store, etc.

Set of 4 Chinese kingfisher ornaments

19th c. Chinese Kingfisher Hairpin with Bat, Phoenixes, Pearls, and Rubies: In Memory
of My Grandmother, Wong Shuet Fong (2013)
Aluminium, Chinese cock feathers, wire, pearls, rhinestones.
Approx. 21 x 23 x 5 cm / 8.3 x 9.1 x 2 in

19th c. Kingfisher Ornament with Peking Glass Centrepiece (2013)
Aluminium, Chinese cock feathers, wire, rhinestone.
7 x 5 x 1 cm / 2.75 x 2 x 0.4 in


Antique Kingfisher Hair Adornment with Five Petals (2013) Aluminium, Chinese cock feathers, wire, rhinestones. 15.8 x 13.5 x 1.5 cm / 6.2 x 5.3 x 0.6 in	19th c. Kingfisher Silver Gilt Hairpin with Phoenixes and Blossoms (2013) Aluminium, Chinese cock feathers, wire, silver bead, rhinestones 6 x 10 x 1.5 cm / 2.4 x 4 x 0.6 in

Opium Den Screens Wood cutouts, each 2.13 x 0.6 m / 7 x 2 ft

Left to right: Swirling Lilypad (2011) Warrior-Gentleman (2011) Kraken-Head (2011) Parachuting Out of Danger (2011)	Left to right: Comment faire pour y entrer sans être reconnu?...Me déguiser?... (2007) I'm a little teapot, short and stout... (2007) Fleur de Shanghai (2007) One for sorrow, two for joy, Three for a girl, four for a boy, Five for silver, six for gold (2007)


Lydia's Fish Counters (2011) Set of 144, each 9 x 3 x 0.3 cm Wood, paint, pyrography, bamboo box, playing cards	Jade-Soap (2011) Each 5 x 5 x 0.6 cm Jade, soap, dye	Opium Pillow 2 (2011) 30.5 x 25.5 x 14 cm Papier-mâché, shoebox, ink	Opium Pillow 1 (2007) 40.5 x 26.5 x 15 cm Papier-mâché, shoebox, ink


Be Not Afraid to Strike the Gong (2010), 99 x 151 x 46 cm Trash can lid, gold & black spraypaint, rope, Ikea clothes rack, dish mop, fabric	Shaolin Soccer Pad (2008) 101.5 x 35.5 x 35.5 cm Cardboard, acrylic, wood	A Scholar's Lookout Point (2008) 101.5 x 35.5 x 35.5 cm Cardboard, acrylic, wood, clay figurines

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