“Home” is a multifaceted and fluid concept, with its own meaningful connections and attachments. As the phenomenon of migration became increasingly common, the word and concept of “home” holds greater significance and richness for immigrants. Their feelings about home are a blend of the past, present, and future. Memories and longing are transformed into everyday lived experiences, which in turn shape their evolving notions and anticipations about “home”.

一 Shirky Chan, The Way Home Curatorial Statement

Soluna Fine Art proudly presents The Way Home, a compelling summer group exhibition curated by Shirky Chan, featuring the works of four outstanding artists: Chan Suet Yi, Henry D’Ath, Rhett D’Costa, and Mo Lai Sze Liz. Drawing from their personal experiences, recollections, and aspirations, each artist offers a profound and nuanced interpretation of home through their distinct bodies of work. Spanning a diverse range of mediums and artistic approaches, The Way Home invites viewers to contemplate on how our private definitions of home are intricately shaped by an emotional mosaic of sentiments and feelings. 

Chan Suet Yi’s paintings contain a fluidity akin to dream-like states, capturing fleeting moments of “home” from the subconscious interpreted from various contexts and media. Her hazy images evoke a familiar comfort, yet remain simultaneously elusive by nature, embracing the notion that any place can be home. 

Henry D’Ath’s sculptural works are imbued with strong symbolisms that reflect his upbringing in rural New Zealand. The abstract forms that resemble elements from the farm contrasted with his architectural training and international exposure. Regardless of his location, his works help him access cherished childhood memories, collapsing time and bridging the gap between past and present in his mind.

Rhett D’Costa’s body of work explores his family’s migration experience under the influence of British colonization, reflecting on a time when ethno-cultural identity was distinct yet disjointed. His creative works, influenced by impressions grounded in western culture and history, seeks to continuously uncover the roots stemming from his Indian heritage.

Mo Lai Sze Liz’s printmaking works seek to establish meaningful connections between her roots in Hong Kong and life in a foreign place. Her collaged monoprints bridge the spatial and temporal points physically and visually, weaving a narrative that explores her personal experience of relocation and the discovery of finding new places to call home. 

Soluna Fine Art invites viewers to embark on a journey that transcends boundaries from a physical location into a deep emotional, psychological, and social search for one’s way home. The exhibition will be on view from 22 August to 28 September 2024, with an Opening Reception from 6 - 8 pm and a Curator Tour at 7 pm on 22 August 2024 (Thurs). 

About Shirky Chan

Shirky Chan is an independent curator and art columnist who received her Master of Art in Fine Art and Master of Art in Intercultural Studies from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2015 and 2017. She achieved her second degree – Bachelor of Fine Art (Major in Painting) with distinction from the The Hong Kong Art School / RMIT University program in 2013. 

Shirky was invited by The Hong Kong Institution of Education as their supporting and professional artist at the “Arts @ School” project in 2014 and was a part-time lecturer at Hong Kong Design Institute in 2020.  Her selected curatorial projects include a fundraising exhibition presented by Lamborghini Hong Kong, “Ze/Ro” group exhibition at Ben Brown Fine Arts (HK), a co-curated group exhibition at Melbourne RMIT University Gallery, and solo and group exhibitions for local artists at Hong Kong Arts Centre.  In 2017 until present, she became the Vice Chair and Chairlady of Hong Kong Art School Alumni Network.  From 2019-2023, She has written and published over 25 art related articles. Other artistic contributions include: Art Consultant for Oriental Watch Company 60th Anniversary event in 2021, Moderator of artist sharing at UBS VIP Lounge - Art Basel HK in 2023, and a Guest Speaker at Art Central (Hong Kong Arts Centre section) in 2024.  

About Chan Suet Yi

Chan Suet Yi, born 1987 in Guangdong. She moved to Hong Kong in 1997. She received the Bachelor degree of Fine Arts, Honour, from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2012. Since 2013, the artist has lived and worked in Berlin, Germany. Chan actively participates in exhibitions and artist residency programs in Europe and her works could be seen in different places such as Hong Kong, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland. The artist is deeply influenced by her nomadic living style, she reconstructs the unique atmosphere from the landscapes which she encounters.

About Henry D’Ath

Henry D’Ath (b. 1991) is a New Zealand born, Hong Kong based artist with a background in architecture and design. Having worked in architecture for some years Henry began his art practice in 2020 while living in Shanghai. Now occupying a studio and workshop in a Hong Kong factory building, the artist uses ideas learned from their agricultural upbringing against present-day experience to seek contradictions of perception and place examined through furniture and sculpture.

About Rhett D’Costa

Rhett D’Costa (b. 1964) was born in India and immigrated to Australia as a child. He currently lives and works on Dja Dja Wurrung lands in Central Victoria, Australia. While his experiences as an Asian-Australian informs his practice-led research, from the expressive use of colour to complex expressions of identity, home and belonging, it is his ongoing commitment to painting which informs all other parts of his artistic practice. In a career spanning more than thirty years in art practice and tertiary art education, his focus centres around the Asia-Pacific region. He is currently an Honorary University Fellow of RMIT University. 

About Mo Lai Sze, Liz

Mo Lai Sze, Liz (b. 1991 in Hong Kong) specializes in printmaking and painting. Her creative inspiration is derived from antique objects, art history, and philosophical reflections, exploring Eastern aesthetics through the selection and integration of imagery and spatial considerations to create a serene atmosphere. In 2022, she held her first solo exhibition, “Offprint”, where her works blended the temperament of ancient paintings with minimalistic forms. Through evocative titles that blur the boundaries of time, she invites viewers to explore themes of time and history in her thoughtfully crafted artworks. Her works are collected by China Academy of Art, Hangzhou Kaiyuan Hotel, Gallery149, and private collectors, and have been exhibited at the Affordable Art Fair, Gallery149, Ztoryteller Gallery, and UBU Deco Gallery. Mo graduated from the Printmaking Department of China Academy of Art, where her graduation project received a Silver Award. She continued her education with a master’s degree of Arts in Fine Arts at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and has experience in antique shops and arts education.