Andrew unearths great journeys through origami assemblage, influenced by his experience as a second generation Canadian. “We are keenly aware of our ‘otherness’, wondering if we truly belong. I fold hundreds of origami birds to honour hardships and sacrifices made by my parents’ generation. As I lay each bird in its place, I realize that the journey continues – I am still finding my way, to be accepted, by others, by myself.” The process is a cathartic, meditative practice. Always striving for perfection, taking joy in the completion of each small task, the culmination of thousands of motions to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
Welcome to the Migration 2022 collection.
Artist Project
This was the big one. My debut at an in-person art fair and at the Artist Project no less. I wanted to present a full collection of pieces that explored the hearts and minds of my parents and other first generation Canadians. What the their hopes, dreams and fears that prompted them to leave? What did they find?
Hopes and Fears
They all had big hopes in their hearts. It was during the settling down of post-war that many from the east sought to go west for a better life. The promise of a better life in the America’s was brought over in songs and movies. My dad learned every Elvis song in Taiwan. There was a mandate to go study science and engineering as many thought they would bring those skills back to rebuild in the east. My father who studied engineering became a labourer and carpenter in Toronto and was among the many immigrants who built Toronto and a new life here.
There are so many stories of immigrants fleeing their homelands due to war and violence. Even today many schools are folding blue and yellow origami cranes hoping for peace in Ukraine.
While many of my aunts and uncles ended up in San Francisco or Texas in the U.S., my dad came to Toronto with $200 in his pocket. My mom followed her University friends to Toronto and got a job at TD bank. They met in Chinatown when there was an actor strike for a local play. They both knew the Taiwan official who was organizing the play and volunteered to fill-in last minute. I guess the rest is history. I always wondered what it would have been like back then and how they viewed Canada before they left. From my perspective it was the perfect choice and land of opportunity
The Journey
I got to explain this one as a promo for the Artist Project. It explores what was it that prompted people to leave their place of origin. What was the build-up of hopes, fears and dreams that prompted them to take that first step to journey beyond the place they knew.
Through Perils was from the showcase piece from my 2021 collection and I was thrilled to show it at the Artist Project. It was purchased by Manulife, and I am so honoured to be included in a corporate collection where the work would be well preserved and seen by countless more people. And I felt it fitting that this piece went to an insurance company. As it this piece is about the hard times that we all go through as part of our journey, insurance is something that is often there during the worst ones.
I always hear the stories. Different families, different cultures, same story. Maybe it was the first uncle who came over with nothing but poor English. Somehow he was able to simultaneously learn English and study hard enough to get through University and earn a PhD. Also, working minimum wage jobs to pay for school AND to send back home. They set the example and blazed the trail for their siblings, friends and country people’s to come over. They loaned money and hosted families in their homes and enabled countless communities to form here in the America’s.
A few photos of myself and the booth at the artist project. A photographer was kind enough to take some photos and share them with me. Thank you @wcsun!
Q1 Pieces
Started the year out with several commissions.
I love the gravity theme. I made a piece called Convergence once which pulled to the centre much more dramatically. This one is more subtle, in some locations you can barely tell that the force is there at all.
One of the reasons I don’t mind doing commissions is that sometimes interactions with the client can generate new creative ideas. Origins was made for an art loving couple who didn’t like my original sketches. As our discussions progressed, I got excited about using the imagery of a “galaxy”. This was much better than my original sketches and it kicked off a mini-series of pieces including Escape Velocity.
A commission request for a Petroff client. She loved the heart pieces but needed one slightly larger.
A commission for a healthcare worker who started following on IG with rich warm colours.
North Toronto Group of Artists Spring Show
In this show I took inspiration from math, physics and the laws of nature.
Based on Keplar’s law of planetary motion.
Thank you for viewing! If you’d like to see more, check out my 2021 Collection and follow me on Instagram for more frequent updates!
Purchasing a Piece
All paper used is Chiyogami, screen printed by hand in Japan. The paper is made from a high-quality Kozo fibre. Although the paper is not acid-free, it is pH balanced by the artist with methods used by archival library conservators.
Please use the form below for feedback (much appreciated) or for sales inquiries. Private viewings can be arranged in North Toronto at my home. Several pieces sold very quickly so do not delay to avoid disappointment. If you love a piece and the image, contact me for limited edition framed prints which I release from time to time.