Spotlights (M.S.G Edition) — Jennifer Huang
Silence plays a powerful role in the works of Jennifer Huang, who chooses to draw from fragments of her daily life. From quiet, overlooked corners to friendly, somewhat familiar faces, she invites us to observe closely and contemplate.
We spoke to Jennifer about early Mahou Shoujo (Magical Girl) animes, the soft pains of social distancing and her favourite dish: Peking Duck from Simon's Peking Duck
Can you describe the role Asian restaurants have played in your life?
If my family and I were dining out or getting take-away, there was probably something to celebrate. Most of our milestones – anniversaries, graduations, promotions – were commemorated at Asian restaurants, whether it was a full Gold Leaf banquet experience or a dash to the local High Street noodle joint.
What inspired you to illustrate this dish?
For me, Peking duck almost never appears outside of a dinner party context. As kids, my family friends and I would load up our plates and watch DVD episodes of Cardcaptor Sakura and Sailor Moon in the next room. The adults, indulging in a rare opportunity to unwind, would gossip and get happily marinated. So not only is this dish delicious, it is also tied up with my nostalgia for these moments.
“As kids, my family friends and I would load up our plates and watch DVD episodes of Cardcaptor Sakura and Sailor Moon in the next room. The adults, indulging in a rare opportunity to unwind, would gossip and get happily marinated.”
Did illustrating the dish change your appreciation of it?
When I took the reference photos for this project, social distancing was already in full effect. Peking duck is meant to be the centrepiece of a rowdy, guest-filled table, and experiencing it in quarantine made me ache for simpler times. It was also nice to paint something so ephemeral, and enjoy the feeling the dish gives me for longer than it would usually take to eat it!
Why is it important for you to push this message right now?
Great food and the restaurants making it are components of normalcy that I – and many others – treasure. These institutions are an incredible way for our culture to be shared and enjoyed by the wider community. It’s truly hard to overstate their importance, and they deserve all the love they can get right now.
Any recommendations for Asian takeaway joints at the moment?
Dojo Ramen for their spicy veggie ramen and Blissful Station for their zucchini pasties!
“When I took the reference photos for this project, social distancing was already in full effect. Peking duck is meant to be the centrepiece of a rowdy, guest-filled table, and experiencing it in quarantine made me ache for simpler times.”
ABOUT THE M.S.G PROJECT
This special edition of Spotlights is in collaboration with More Of Something Good (M.S.G). We interviewed five of their artists about their favourite Asian restaurants, how COVID-19 has affected the hospitality industry and their current take-away recommendations.
More Of Something Good is the No.1 Online Illustrated Food Directory. In response to the racially-targeted attacks and stigma surrounding COVID-19 and the Asian community, STUDIO MIMU are countering the fear and tension with an online directory of Asian restaurants recommended by artists. M.S.G is a 100% not-for-our-profit initiative that’s good for the hood.
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@jenn_the_shrimp
Images provided by
More Of Something Good