I took a brief break from social media but today's @asianirishcommunityconnect conference was filled with some wonderful speakers, inspiration and so much hope and potential. I think we all left feeling hopeful and excited with a few new ideas to think about. It's always a pleasure to listen to @thehazelchu and @nomadhandaa . After several meetings, it was great to see everyone face to face at AICC's first conference Speaking Up Stepping In at Trinity today. I'm wrecked.
In an effort to productively avoid what I needed to do -- I like to refer to it as professional procrastination -- I picked out incense stubs from my iron incense pot. I didn't think that many stumps remained but there you go. Occasionally I lit a little stump or two to remember the scent. I usually light incense before attempting to do my bookkeeping. On occasion before doing a big clean around the house I'll light a stick as well. Tuberose, jasmine, cedar and sandalwood are my favourite scents.
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Life surprised us a week and a half ago and my husband's grandmother passed away. We spent the previous week in Finland, taking care of arrangements and spending it with family. I'll miss her dearly but she had a good, long life.
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#jinnyly
Thanks for having me @dr_meishan_zhang as part of your Maynooth University's Anti-Racism lecture. I've been pretty quiet lately cause I've been sick for nearly two weeks. Will update with some fun news next week. Hope you're all keeping well in the meantime <3
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#jinnyly #vietnameseboatpeople
Becoming a mum made me prioritise my time, evolve, be deliberate and required me to focus on what's truly important in my arts practice. The lack of support and recognition for artists who are also mothers is very real, not to mention the lack of time we have as well. But being who I am, I basically said fk it and did things my way.
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Like that time my studio manager said they wanted to give my space to another artist because I wasn't in the studio enough despite me paying my rent on time -- even after explaining that I'm tending to my son who was often sick and in and out of hospital stays during the winter months. Nevermind that my studio mate was still using the space in my absence. Well, they don't deserve my practice, presence, energy or money. Markus was just turning 2 at that time when I left the studio and shifted my practice into curation and focused on the conceptual and theoretical side of my work to accommodate not having studio space. When people ask why I'm not going to the opening nights? Because I'd rather spend time with my toddler who won't stay a toddler for long, plus he's good fun. I bring my son with me to all my openings because he is part of the reason why I'm doing this my way. And his poo explosions gave me a reason to leave early.
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Being a mum taught me to be very deliberate about my choices and my actions. It's integral to who I am, why and how I create. I don't feel like I'm missing out and I don't give a damn about what the art industry expects from me. Where I meet resistance, I find a different way. Be like water.
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Photo 1: In the yard of our new old home. We got Markus a colourful pinwheel and he was running around with it today :).
Photo 2: Markus at the @auspicious.eight opening night this year. He loves taking photos. (Photo credit: @zellyanyanping )
Photo 3: My new studio space at the new home. Needs work.
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#jinnyly #artistmom #artistandmother #dublinartist
Just sharing some thoughts I had today at lunch which was fish n chips. The thoughts mean a little more when I take the time to write them down. Hope you can read my handwriting.
Horses, dragons, lions and colourful costumes filled Wolfe Tone Square on Sunday, creating a dazzling display of community spirit and creativity as we celebrated the Lunar New Year 🐉🦁🎉
Video by @patrickblue.ie ✨
#DublinLunarNewYear #YearOfTheHorse
Yesterday's Year of the Horse celebrations were full of colour, music, and energy, with dancing, singing, and a joyful blend of tradition and contemporary performance making it a day to remember! 🎻🕺🐎✨
Video by @patrickblue.ie
#dublinlunarnewyear
#yearofthehorse
There's something beautiful that happens when multiple communities come together. When we share our cultures, languages, traditions and stories, we not only bring people together, but we bridge the gaps which history taught us. Today, as Chinese, Vietnamese, Mongolian, Korean, Malaysians, Taiwanese and Filipinos and then some, we not only showcased our traditions and talents, we were able to appreciate them in one place, at the same time, together. Now some people might wonder, why should this matter? Because in some parts of the world, these events are held separately -- where these communities don't intermingle. So there's something to say about @dublinlunarny creating a welcoming, respected space for everyone to celebrate. And on that note, thank you for inviting me as the festival ambassador of this year's Lunar New Year celebration. It has truly been an honour. <3 :3
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Many thanks to Melissa at DLNY for all her efforts in organising the festival. Also thank you to @pinkkpopdance , @asianirishcommunityconnect
, @cantonese.ireland , @flowercitydlda , @dublintown_ and so many more for the chats, laughs and community feels.
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#dublinlunarnewyear #jinnyly #asianirishconnect
We had a great artist talk at the Central Library today. Thank you to everyone who came out. I'm so proud of you guys @cestlahan@lixyphoto_ and @35mm.ploy . Thank you @dublinlunarny and @dublincitycouncil for your support! This wraps up Auspicious Eight: Fire Horse for the year. :)
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#jinnyly #baohannguyen #xuyingli #ploypailinjitphulphon #dublinlunarnewyear
1. We had some homemade dumplings (pork, spinach and courgette) tonight for dinner.
2. Some vintage and newer paper lanterns. We used to put a little red candle inside and steady the lantern on a bamboo pole. I remember burning my fingers a few times lol. Good thing mum found these ages ago.
3. My offerings to the ancestors and gods. Thank you @cestlahan for the coconut candy. :3. I'll need to put up a proper altar at the new house. I didn't get a chance to make tang yuan yet. Maybe tomorrow.
4. My favourite photo of my grandparents who I dearly miss. I uhh, acquired it from my parents place. To be fair I did ask to keep it.
Happy new year everyone! :) wishing you all a healthy and prosperous new year. Been trying to keep up with all the opportunities leading up to the new year and so far so good. I spent the morning with @deric_tv , @thehazelchu , @jiemeimeichin , @pinkkpopdance and Sinead for today's @irelandamvmtv show as festival ambassador for the @dublinlunarny . Happy Year of the Horse!
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#jinnyly #visualartist #dublinlunarnewyear
