Dedicated to my beloved neighborhood; Sunset Park, Brooklyn New York.

I wear my dear grandmother, Chow Gin Wong Tom's, goddess of mercy jade (Guanyin) around my neck everyday as a personal reminder of just how lovely she was. It also serves as my way to remember some of the most important aspects of life that she taught me. One of those treasured lessons being that at the core of it all, WE ARE BOUNDED BY OUR ROOTS.

I spent a lot of intimate time with my grandmother back in the day while my parents were busy doing what most immigrant families were doing; “Chasing the American dream”. I still remember our trips to Harmony Palace on Mott Street for dim sum (Yum Cha), then hauling her groceries as I patiently waited alongside while she chatted up every single one of her neighborhood friends about the comings and goings of our beloved home, Chinatown.

Chinatown days weren’t always sweet, though. I remember my parents arguing a lot. I've never shared this before so writing it in this physical form feels special. The arguments were so bad that they were planning to separate. I vividly remember crying with my one and only sister on top of our bunk bed in “5B” because of the constant yelling in the other room. The disagreements almost always came down to money in some way or another. 

Eventually, around 2009, we relocated to South Brooklyn near Bensonhurst and it was definitely an unwilling move/adjustment because you know... Chinatown for life! After living with my family for a few more years, I relocated solo to Sunset Park near “8th Ave”. That's when my eye started to see and appreciate the nuances of the people and culture of this unique neighborhood. 

The video and photography you are viewing here is as much inspired by the beauty of this place, as it is by my dear grandmother. It is a reflection of the fusion of cultures and one that I am extremely proud of. If you are interested in learning more about a specific piece or the entire series, you can set up an appointment by email. This series of photograph is up at my favorite local cafe in Sunset Park; Parlay 4024 8th Ave, Brooklyn NY 11232. If you see me having a cappuccino (full or empty) please say hi. I’ll be the one with the camera around my neck.

My parents never separated. They Yum Cha near 8th Ave in Sunset Park almost everyday.