Jennifer Chia-ling Ho | How are you?

About

Ho’s practice explores the power and limitation of language, presentation, and research methodology, along with the ways in which they alter the maker-viewer relationship. Her work responds to her experience of geographical and cultural displacement as she integrates into US society and encounters the textual history built in the Western context. While in residence at 18th Street, Ho will consider how identity is discussed through language. 

Gallery hours are Monday – Friday from 11 AM – 5 PM at 1639 18th Street. Masks are required.
The exhibition is in the Blue Building (1629), but please check in at the office in the Green Building (1639) to gain access to the Atrium Gallery.

Reservations are strongly encouraged as we only have one staff member available on site at all times. Please reserve a time slot here: https://jenniferchialingho.eventbrite.com

Living in the US for the past three years, Ho has been constantly reminded of her identity as a Taiwanese, a foreigner, and a nonnative because of her inability to speak ‘perfect’ English and her ‘foreign’ accent. ‘How are you?’ is one of the first sentences taught to non-English speakers. However, in a racially conscious society, the production and pronunciation of this sentence weighs much more heavily than the meaning of this casual greeting. 

This exhibition will feature Ho’s new work created at 18th Street: Check the Box, a 5 x 5 x 8 feet installation of five plaster sculptures — representing i, u, y, ə, and a, the five vowel-like sounds used in Mandarin Chinese — placed on wire mesh cubes. This exhibition explores the sense of belonging, nationality, and the complex and sometimes conflicted experience of Asian immigrants in the American discussion of racial identity.