Illustrator Cherie Kwok, our 2022 Made in Chinatown artist-in-residence, has created a beautiful new artwork to reflect the multiple layers of intangible cultural heritage, experiences, memories and meaning shared by community members and volunteers within London’s Chinatown.

The illustration entitled Layers of Chinatown features elements that visitors may recognise or remember such as the Chinatown gates, the neighbourhood’s gingko trees, some businesses and restaurants, and the pavilion (六角亭) formerly on Newport Place. The design also includes other moments from the area’s past including imagined references to the Magic Circle (founded at Pinoli’s Italian restaurant on Wardour Street in 1905)  and Dr Samuel Johnson writing about his first English dictionary from a window on Gerrard Street. 

The colourful, futuristic and playful design was informed by a series of art workshops and activities with volunteers and community group members held to inspire Cherie’s work as she completed her residency with China Exchange. 

Describing the work, Cherie said:

The work draws inspiration from the different stories I have encountered during the Community Led tour, and it aims to invite viewers to look closer at the details and traces of London Chinatown’s history.

This illustration will be used in our Made in Chinatown project, bringing together artists, community members and volunteers to create unique and beautiful products that explore Chinatown’s heritage. Proceeds from Made in Chinatown sales support community projects in the area. Small batch produced products using Cherie’s illustration will launch in Autumn 2022. 

PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT

We are delighted to announce this year’s range products in our Made in Chinatown range of gifts.  The items feature Layers of Chinatown.  The illustration, Layers of Chinatown, depicts the multi-layers of intangible cultural heritage, experiences, memories and meaning from community members and volunteers within London’s Chinatown. 

This year’s new products are a high quality sustainable cotton t-shirt featuring a monotone illustration printed in a choice of green, pink or blue and a 30 piece A4 jigsaw showing the design in full colour. The jigsaw comes in its own natural cotton drawstring bag. Add our beautiful Made in Chinatown products to your Christmas lists and take this chance to support Chinatown. All our sales support future community projects in the neighbourhood. Made in Chinatown, brings together artists, community members and volunteers to create unique and beautiful products that explore Chinatown’s heritage. Proceeds from Made in Chinatown sales support community projects in the area. 

About the Artist

Cherie Kwok (郭曉霖)

Cherie is a freelance illustrator based in Birmingham, with a visual language inspired by her Hong Kong heritage. Cultural identity, diversity, mental health, and wellbeing are key topics in her work. Her practice consists of editorial, advertising, publishing, and community-based projects. She has worked with Birmingham Design Festival, Women & Theatre, Birmingham Art Book, Ohana Magazine, and more.