Winter of 2017

Artist: Qingyang Cheng
Editor: Sophie Zhang

Artist Statement:

Winter of 2017 is a watercolour and ink illustration depicting a memory of the hustle and bustle of Chinese Lunar New Year entangled within the streets of Toronto. I explore the feeling of cultural isolation stemming from immigration, where countless families spend years separated from their home countries. Adapting to new ways of life, cultural traditions, dialects, and celebrations turns into dusty memories, never to be seen again. Emerging from my own loss of culture, I search for a piece of my past in everyday tasks, sounds and scents. I reconnect to Chinese culture by crafting vivid retellings inspired by everyday experiences that evoke a sense of home. 

In this piece, I explore the connective power of scent. Walking along downtown Toronto, the late-night waft of grills and fryers reminds me of the night markets in China. It paints a picture of bustling stalls, glowing lanterns, and chatty street-vendors. Slowly, the aroma of my grandpa’s beloved spicy lamb-skewers and my dad’s favourite stinky tofu fill up my nose. I remember being 9, my eyes wide with wonder as a Lunar New Year dragon danced between the restaurant tables. Here, my two homes merge–Canada and China–and I am reminded I don’t have to lose either.