“Wonderland”

The White Rabbit: The red queen’s spy looks at you with many eyes while offering you a cup of tea. Behind them is a spread of playing cards; the bottom two are eights (88, a number that signifies “fortune and good luck”), the top center card is a face card, and the remaining cards are 2, -, 2, and 3 (for the year 2023), from left to right. The character on the first 2 card is “兔” meaning “rabbit”, and the - card has “恭喜發財”, a new year greeting, written on it. The flowers in the corners are red peonies, which carry the same romantic meaning as red roses do in the west.

The Cheshire Cat: This mischievous cat gives you confusing directions while grinning widely with its many mouths. Behind them, their floating eyes call you closer. The signpost points in many directions; the top sign reads “呢條路” (“this way”) and the second reads “嗰條路” (“that way”). The third begins with “二零” (“two zero”) and the fourth ends with “二三” (“two three”), together making the year “2023”. The end of the third sign says “瘋貓” (“mad cat”), and the bottom two signs read “新年快樂” (“happy new year”) and “恭喜發財” (a new year greeting), respectively.

In celebration of the lunar new year and the start of the year of the rabbit (in China) and the year of the cat (in Vietnam).

Watercolor and India ink, 2023. Two 7" x 10" panels.

Original and art prints available in the shop.