"If you're a baker, making bread, you're a baker. If you make the best bread in the world, you're not an artist, but if you bake the bread in the gallery, you're an artist. So the context makes the difference."

—Marina Abramovic

Visual artist Afa Annfa and food stylist Gloria Chung will present their first duo solo exhibition at JPS Gallery Hong Kong. Inspired by an iconic quote from conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramovic, this unique showcase explores the complex relationship between authentic and artificial food, examining their artistic significance and symbolic meanings. The exhibition, titled A&G Boulangerie, focuses specifically on bread and butter—staple foods that hold profound cultural significance in our lives.

The exhibition space will be divided into two distinct zones: a meaningful kitchen island in the main room and an altar area that adds a sacred dimension to the everyday act of breaking bread. This dual arrangement fosters an engaging dialogue between the mundane and the divine.

Breaking Bread: From Daily Sustenance to Cultural Canvas

The central area of the gallery will focus on the profound significance of bread, a fundamental element of human sustenance that has been woven into the fabric of civilisations throughout history. Bread, in its many forms, has not only served as essential food for survival but has also evolved into a powerful symbol that goes beyond mere nourishment.

In both Western and Eastern cultures, bread carries deep-rooted symbolic meanings that reflect the essence of human existence—life, sustenance, community, and shared experiences. In Christian traditions, particularly in the Eucharist, bread holds sacred significance as it represents the body of Christ, symbolising unity among believers.

Artists across generations have used bread as a recurring motif in their work, employing it to represent human labour, craftsmanship, and the contrast between abundance and scarcity. The portrayal of bread in various contexts often serves as a subtle yet impactful indicator of social status and economic conditions, highlighting the ongoing reality of societal inequalities and daily struggles.

Afa Annfa's 30-DAY LOVE LETTER

The main space will comprise two installations: 30-DAY LOVE LETTER and a meticulously curated kitchen island. 30-DAY LOVE LETTER is a remarkable fusion of wooden sculptures and paintings by Afa, who uses bread as a multifaceted symbol representing craftsmanship, emotional connection, and spiritual depth. Through a series of intricately carved wooden bread slices, the artist creates a visual narrative that chronicles the evolution of a relationship—from its initial spark to its full bloom, decline, and, ultimately, rediscovery. This piece serves as a deeply personal metaphor in which Afa examines her relationship with artistic creation, essentially composing an intimate love letter to herself and her journey as an artist.

Plates with a Purpose: Sculpting Stories of Friendship

The kitchen island showcases a thoughtfully arranged collection of plates, each one telling its own story. The carefully crafted clay sculptures on these plates, which depict pineapples and black ants, symbolise the decade-long friendship between Afa and Gloria. Above the table hangs an impressive chandelier made by Gloria, constructed with real baguettes. This grand installation does more than just serve as decoration; its commanding presence and intricate design invite viewers to contemplate the weight and significance of everyday moments.

Artificial Devotion: Gloria's Butter Guan Yin

This room explores the profound symbolism of butter through two contrasting installations: Gloria’s sculpture of Guan Yin made from real butter will be positioned directly across from it is Afa's collection of handcrafted statues, which serves as a monumental tribute to believers.

Butter exists in a fascinating state between solid and liquid, never fully committed to a single form. Its distinctive taste has captivated palates throughout history, yet it serves best as an enhancer that elevates other ingredients to their full potential. Throughout Gloria's distinguished career as both food stylist and chef, butter has held an almost religious significance in her culinary practice. It inspired her to transform butter into a representation of Guan Yin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, creating a unique fusion of the mundane and divine.

However, during the artistic process, an intriguing paradox emerged: the butter deity, despite its sacred presentation, is fundamentally a human creation—a physical manifestation of the philosophical notion that "gods are born from human imagination." In response to this revelation, Afa created an imposing monument made of artificial butter, deliberately placed in opposition to Gloria’s Guan Yin. This juxtaposition raises profound questions: when both pieces are essentially human-made representations, how do we measure the metaphysical distance between the unquestionable divine and the devoted mortal? Through this presentation, the artists delve into complex themes of free will and individual worth, with butter serving as an unexpected yet effective metaphorical vehicle.

Kneading Life's Essence: Afa and Gloria's Artistic Vision

For both Afa and Gloria, the act of creation represents the essence of life itself. They view bread and butter as more than mere sustenance; these elements form the fundamental building blocks of existence, nourishing not only the body but also the spirit, imagination, normalcy, and passion. They suggest that life is composed of countless moments and experiences, much like the infinite variations of bread. Their work implies that approaching life with genuine sincerity and dedication leads to true happiness.

Through this exhibition, the artists transform the common kitchen staple of butter into a powerful medium for exploring deep philosophical and spiritual concepts. The interplay between Gloria's butter deity and Afa's artificial butter sculpture creates a thought-provoking dialogue about faith, human nature, and the relationship between creator and creation. Their work challenges viewers to reconsider their assumptions about the sacred and the mundane, suggesting that profound meaning can be found in even the most ordinary materials when approached with artistic vision and philosophical insight.