Dinner Gallery is proud to present Tigers and Dragons and Ghosts Oh My!, a 2-person exhibition of new works by Hannah Lim and G.E. Liu.

Civilizations across time have long created their own mythologies to provide meaning and order in a world that can often seem chaotic and meaningless. They explain the unexplainable and deliver comfort to those seeking answers from a higher power. Chinese mythology is comprised of a wide range of folklore, history and beliefs across numerous time periods including present day. Many of these folk tales are uniquely bound to philosophy, religion, tradition and society.

Driven by the desire to feel more connected to her Chinese and Singaporean heritage, Hannah Lim’s intricate works capture symbols and motifs that embrace her multi-cultural identity. She reinterprets traditional forms of flowers, plants and creatures featured heavily in Asian mythology and saturates them with her rich color palette. Stemming from her exploration into Chinese antique objects and design, Lim’s creations reclaim chinoiserie, a prominent 18th Century aesthetic that describes European designers appropriating Chinese designs for their own use.

Similarly, G.E. Liu borrows the flattened perspectives of classical Asian landscapes to chronicle the layered narratives of her female characters. Derived from her interest in ancient Chinese alchemy and Jung’s concept of the hero’s journey toward individuation, her delicate and grotesque drawings are infused with humor, sexuality and self-deprecation while also exploring duplicitous natures within culture. Liu’s careful choice to use silk as her canvas is a reflection on the complicated history associated with the material’s relationship to the West while her brilliant LEDs highlight Taiwan’s position as the global leader in LED manufacturing and serve as a reminder of her hometown’s night markets and local religious decorations.

Tigers and Dragons and Ghosts Oh My! is an exploration of how these myths have been translated and evolved over time to reflect the current sentiments of today. Brought about by globalization, people are more multifaceted than ever and have evolved into a cross-pollination of cultures and myths. The works of Lim and Liu celebrate the similarities and differences of Eastern and Western cultures while also acknowledging their individual paths and identities.