It is not every experience of the Asian-Australian diaspora, but for me, I wasn't exactly proud of being a daughter of Chinese-Malaysian immigrants who ran a restaurant. I just wanted to be White-Australian. For the longest time, my artwork wasn't inspired by my culture, my art was inspired by cute things, and my culture sat in a box, all taped up like you can get done to your luggage in KLIA, collecting dust, somewhere hiding in the garage.

A couple of years ago, whilst working as an artist in Naarm, I started moonlighting as a waitress at my parents restaurant - a revolving door of different types of Asians. So many "lah" and "can" and "uh", the code switch was flicked on. Not long after, my two siblings and I took over the business, renovated and transformed it whilst keeping its heart and I paused my art career to manage front of house at our restaurant. Let's just say that box in the garage ripped itself apart and now its contents sits on top of me everywhere I go... I could finally see myself and my parents in these aunties, uncles and young Asian Australians who came through the door. I felt like I could see the full picture of who my parents were, who I was.

This experience, combined with my frontal lobe being "fully formed", and visits back home to Malaysia, had created in me a deep appreciation and longing for my culture. These windows are a series of illustrations that celebrate and explore my love of being Chinese-Malaysian & Australian.

Pey Chj 佩绮 (she/her) was born to Chinese-Malaysian-Hakka-Hokkien parents in the month of the lion & the year of the dog. She is a multi-disciplinary artist, born, raised & working in Naarm. She has worked across mediums, including textiles, ceramics, tattoos, painting & more. Her work spans different meanings & inspirations— from her chronic illness to her late dog Booster. Lately it’s been inspired by her cultural heritage.