Artist Talk: Learning Hub Artist-In-Residence Sonia Chow

From January until the end of March 2024, Sonia Chow is our Learning Hub Artist-in-Residence on the second floor, using materials from our Reuse Program! Join Sonia in our Auditorium to learn more about her creative journey, and how she incorporates “reused” materials for a more sustainable artistic practice.

About the Artist

Sonia Chow is a designer, artist and educator. She was based in Tokyo and Hong Kong for 16 years before returning to Canada in 2018, and now is focused on making art from textiles, wood, words, salvaged materials and found objects.

My practice blurs the imaginary boundaries between art, craft and design. Whether investigating materials, processes, function, or form – I let the work inform me, both as mentor and muse. I am happiest when working with my hands, and enjoy the challenge of transforming what has been overlooked and coaxing meaning from the undervalued. 

We think of found and upcycled materials as free, but the cost of manual labour to render these usable often far exceeds the purchase price of pristine supplies. That said, I am drawn to repurposing and repairing. The quest for transformation is worthwhile to me, and I am always on the lookout for crouching tigers within the discarded. (In Chinese culture, a “crouching tiger” is one who is underestimated and denied opportunities to reach their full potential.)

My main project during this residency is to create a series of uniforms with material from the Reuse Program, incorporating traditional Chinese motifs from the Museum’s collection. Specifically, I will be making one-piece coveralls. Originally, these were made as durable protective gear for trades and manual labour, and to identify the wearer’s position. Over time, it has been adopted as a form of non-gendered fashion which can anonymise the wearer and flatten the hierarchy. 

A uniform can imply authority to control, demand respect and/or take up space. I am interested in how these uniforms can affect perception: from within as the wearer, as well as from a spectator’s perspective. How does it feel to put these suits on? What do others see when these suits are worn?

Sonia’s art and design work has been featured in exhibitions and publications in North America, Asia, and Europe, including the design/build of 3 art suites of snow and ice for Icehotel Sweden. She was inducted to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts for Graphic Design in 2011, a recipient of the SSHRC Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS Master’s Scholarship and of Arts Nova Scotia Research/Creation grants.

We acknowledge the support of Arts Nova Scotia.

*Please note, the artist talk will be 60-90 minutes in the Auditorium (mezzanine level), followed by a short studio visit in the Learning Hub

The Learning Hub Artist in Residence Program is made possible by the Chawker’s Foundation.

Type: Event

Date: Mar 9, 2pm - 4pm