Out of Place
Acrylic on canvas
2019
Mow Mow the cat
This painting is based on my visit back to Hong Kong, where I was born. My grandparents live in their old sewing machine shop based in Kowloon City and I was surprised to see a new member, the cat. His name is Mow Mow, or 'cat' in Cantonese.
Having grown up in Canada, going back to Hong Kong was odd. I felt I belonged because I was with family but at the same time, I was out of place because of the distance and language barrier.
The cat was a representation of how I was feeling, because he was always hiding between the close packed areas of the shop as if it were trying to blend in and make a home, but clearly stuck out between the sewing machines.
The family sewing machine shop
Started with a linear sketch before diving in with acrylic paints.