A Gift for the Elders: 100 Long Lives by MalPina Chan

At multiple levels my work is a continuing investigation of the transitory nature of the human condition and our connection with each other. Through my work, I tell the story of my family's immigrant experience. The voyage to America required courage, strength, and conviction. The imagery in my work is drawn from a rich resource of old family photos, immigration documents, letters, and cultural icons. My inspiration for making this book came from a conversation I had with my late mother about one of her favorite tablecloths. She told me a story about the calligraphy featured on the tablecloth. In ancient China, the wish for longevity became one of the main principles of life. Chinese calligraphers developed various designs to express the character in written form. When inscribed one hundred times in varying calligraphic styles, the word 'longevity', shou, becomes the motif known as bai shou, 'a hundred long lives'. This design is often sent as a gift to elders to wish them long life