Tropical Chinoiserie

Multiculturalism is one of Panama’s defining qualities. The first Chinese migrants arrived mid-19th century to this Central American country to work on the construction of the railway and later of the Panama Canal; while others established businesses of their own, eventually creating one of the largest Chinese communities in the region. They laid the foundations for a vast and strong diaspora that confronted racial prejudice with their cultural identity, family heritage, and commercial success.

Beyond geography, humans try to find meaning in that which is different, and they seek to give it a representation witin a specific context. Chinese-Panamanian artist Gabe Wong explores the meaning of “belonging” to a place in his solo exhibit Tropical Chinoiserie, showcasing his skills as an architect, illustrator, and storyteller. Combining many elements, Wong uses his dichotomy to create a hybrid space that defines him as both Asian and Latin American. The more we are different, the more we behave the same and viceversa. Ambiguity does not hinder the inclusive and generic character of the objetcts, but rather transforms them into a unique manner of representation until they complement each other in unison.

Twenty works that comprise paintings, drawings, installation, and site specifics, offer the spectator a glimpse into the artist’s life without forcing a specific point of view. Expressionism and figuration are witnesses to a cultural exchange that was born at home, through roots and customs, and whose freedom is reflected through mixture and transformation. The character, tropical with Chinese elements, is aware of the nature that surrounds him. Through iconographic appropriation, he combines his differences to accentuate his similarities, uniting in a single piece the richness of two cultures.

Gabe’s proposal is intimate, rather than anthropolical. The artist shares his experience with the public, recognizing identifying visual patterns through color, symbols, objects and subjects that have always accompanied him. Tropical Chinoiserie affirms the beauty that lies in differences, and the repercussion of diasporas on human beings. Years of research and practice consolidate an autonomous language permeated with flexibility, history, and self-love.

Maylin Pérez | Curator