Gallery4Culture
2006-2007 Season

Diem Chau:
Lost in Translation
August 2 – 31, 2007

reception AUGUST 2, 2007, 6 – 8 p.m.

IN THE NEWS: Seattle Weekly Upcoming Events - Diem Chau, Seattle Weekly

Gallery4Culture is pleased to present new work by Diem Chau.

Growing up Chinese in Vietnam and then moving to the U.S., Chau grew up not knowing where she belonged. She always felt in between cultures – in a "mish-mash." Identity is an important part of her work. Language is an outward sign of belonging and the language of the home may not be the language of the culture. Chau’s work is filtered through three languages. It revels in the egalitarian, the everyday moments and everyday things.

In this exhibition, Chau uses thread as a metaphor for the continuity of the family and cultural history. Wall-hung dishware is covered in fabric and onto which portraits are stitched. There is a thread, a line, which connects the pieces. The dishes are framing and containing at the same time. There is also a wall installation of knotted thread. The knots are a Morse code translation of books and stories she encountered in childhood, reminiscent of the work of women spies in WWII who incorporated their messages into the knitting – information as easily overlooked then as it today.

A reception will be held on August 2, 2007, the first Thursday of the month, during the Downtown Artwalk, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend. The exhibition will run from August 2 – 31, 2007.

Gallery4Culture is located within 4Culture offices at 101 Prefontaine PL S, at the corner of Third and Prefontaine, in the Tashiro/Kaplan Building. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., closed government holidays; the gallery is open and free to the public. For more information about this program visit our Gallery Info page or call 206.296.8674.