Asian Confectionery

Gathering in community on the unceded, ancestral, occupied territories of the  xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh  (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations.

ahmm transforms Morrow’s gallery into an Asian Confectionery! A collection of art and sundries curated by Ziyian Kwan, Sarah Wong and Juolin Lee, with recommendations from friends and colleagues. We are producing a limited-edition print series by lens-based artist, Alger Ji-Liang. In addition, visual artist Sauha Lee is releasing a collection of textile objects to compliment her paper pulp art. The Asian Confectionery will also host books by local Asian authors, Ziyian’s Chinatown auntie slippers, vintage items, and more, plus iconic and not-so-known Asian snacks! We invite folks to browse and purchase from the Asian Confectionery while attending ahmm events at 910 Richards – Suite 204. 100% of profits from artwork and self-published books will be paid to the artists. For sundries and snacks, profits will support ahmm.

Featured Artist: Alger Ji-Liang

4 x 6 limited edition print series for purchase ($5 for 1 print, 5 for $20, 9 for $30)
All proceeds go to the artist

兔兒神回來 (Return of the Rabbit God) is a photo series inspired by a Qing Dynasty folktale about the 兔兒神(Rabbit God) recorded by scholar 袁枚 (Yuan Mei) in his collection, 子不語 (What the Master Would Not Discuss), an anthology of supernatural stories about sex, homosexuality, ghosts, and corruption. In the story, a young soldier named 胡天寶 (Hu Tian Bao) is executed after openly confessing his love to the imperial official he’s in love with. He is later reincarnated as the 兔兒神 (Rabbit God), the safeguarder of same-sex affairs. This work is an interpretation of the 兔兒神 (Rabbit God), an androgynous deity who protects queer love and kinship, and the souls struggling to find acceptance in the bodily world.

Collaborators: Director, Model: Alger Ji-Liang / Photographer: Terell Paiva / Photo Assistant: Beau Bonez / Production Assistant: Don Boado / Stylist: Roena Ong / Makeup Artist: Melfinna Tjugito / Hair Stylist: Patrick Uy / Calligrapher: Sheen Wong / Designers: Adam Lin-Bungag (NOT DEAD YET) & Alex S. Yu

Alger Ji-Liang 梁家傑 (he/him) is an emerging interdisciplinary artist, collaborator, and arts worker based on the unceded and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, known as Vancouver. His lens-based practice explores identity, kin, and grief.

Featured Artist: Sauha Lee

  • Knotty Ornament
  • Knotty Ornament detail
  • Paper Pulp Art

Featured Artist Sauha Lee is displaying and selling 2 collections in ahmm’s Asian Confectionery. 100% of proceeds go to Sauha from the purchase of these gorgeous pieces:

  • Paper Pulp Paintings: made with salvaged garden waste and used paper. These pieces highlight the connections between cellulose and bones. 50% off sale during ahmm!
  • Knotty Ornaments ($50 each): Good Luck talismans made with vintage and thrifted fabrics. In Chinese culture, knots were historically used to record important events; they are symbols and everyday tools that can express complex thoughts and feelings.

Sauha Lee is the daughter of Chinese immigrant parents from Peru and Hong Kong. She is an artist, designer and gardener based on the unceded traditional territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, also known as Vancouver, Canada. 

Sauha searches for ancestral catharsis through making, looking more closely at waste and adhoc constructions, investigating the nature of manual labour, and envisioning a more livable and equitable future. Harnessing the poetics of repurposing, she confronts what feels disconnected. She gathers local plants, textiles, and discarded things. As well, a big part of why she makes art is to collaborate and explore what it means to build community.

Day to day she works as a certified horticultural technician and is a graduate from Emily Carr University (2016 BDes).

Other artist goods available for purchase:

Accessibility:

Here is some general accessibility info, please contact us with questions or requests.

  • There are 2 common area entrances to the building. The front entrance has one flight of stairs. The back entrance provides access to the elevator. If you require elevator access, please contact us and we will meet you at the door to let you in and support. The back entrance is in the parking lot behind 910 Richards, cornering Smithe.
  • There is one wheelchair accessible and one gender neutral washroom.
  • We request that people do not wear scents and we provide scent free soap in washrooms.

Photo credits

  • Sauha Lee photographed by Rianne Svelnis
  • Alger Ji-Liang photographed by Ciara Kosai
  • Event Banner: Alger Ji-Liang photographed by Beau Bonez / Graphics: Kelly McInnes