Subtle Asian Traits Post

9 November 2020

Subtle Asian Traits is a Facebook group with over 2 million members. Started by a group of first-generation Asian Australians, it has become one of the largest online Asian communities with members from all around the world, spawning numerous spin-off groups. It is no overexaggeration to say that the group has and continues to articulate and actively shape how the Asian diaspora sees itself, expressing a desire to share a common ground through humour and biographical stories.

My post in the group in 2020 about my takeaway box sculpture highlighting the undervalued labour of Chinese takeaways and restaurants resonated with members, not least due to a wave of anti-Asian sentiment amidst the global pandemic. Numerous comments shared how the piece had reminded them of their childhood, personal memories or family members. The piece went on to be shown at the 2021 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.