Catherine Chan

(4) Painting - Cafe Culture

Cafe Culture is a painting that depicts my family enjoying an afternoon snack at a Hong Kong cafe in the suburbs of Toronto. The people come for the food and it is a very casual atmosphere. This painting acts as a time capsule as these types of establishments begin to disappear. This type of Canto-Western cuisine has a special sense of nostalgia for me as an immigrant from Hong Kong. With all the noise and hustle-bustle around us, we are in our own little family bubble. It is endearing when I see my kids also take a liking to this type of food. By letting them have an appreciation of their own culture, we hope they will also value the diversity in others. Just like the food which brings back good memories for me, this painting captures the same feelings of tender sweetness.