‘Have you Eaten ?”

Stainless steel bowls 

Exit 4  Jiangxing Xilu station

Suzhou. China 

2024

Sculptural intervention in the Suzhou metro system as part of BFM Art marathon 

Supported by  BFM Art Center & Suzhou Metro 

Titled "Have You Eaten?"— a phrase infused with warmth and care in Chinese culture. it transforms familiar, everyday objects into a modern sculptural expression. Composed of stainless steel bowls,objects that hold a central role in domestic and culinary life,the sculpture rises like a sleek, column, seemingly anchoring itself between the floor and ceiling. This repetition of simple, utilitarian forms into a rhythmic and infinite geometry mirrors the coexistence of tradition and modernity in contemporary China.

The artwork’s material and design evoke the enduring symbolism of the "iron rice bowl" (铁饭碗), a metaphor deeply ingrained in Chinese history and ideology, representing stability and sustenance. This connection reflects broader societal shifts, from the collectivist ideals of the mid-20th century to the economic reforms that reshaped labor and societal structures . Yet, the use of bowls—objects tied to nourishment, family, and everyday life—grounds the sculpture in a humanist, universally relatable ethos. In this context, the artwork can be interpreted as a commentary on continuity and change. The bowls, transformed into a modern, industrial aesthetic, might suggest resilience amidst shifts in social and economic paradigms. As it inhabits a bustling public space, the sculpture invites reflection on the intersection of personal care and collective memory, offering both a connection to tradition and a vision of progress. By situating this work in an urban metro station—an emblem of modern transit and movement—the artist creates a dialogue between the past and present, the individual and the collective, and the material and the symbolic.

Thank you to AVY and her dedicated team  for her ambitious vision, and big thank you to Boyi for help to install the artwork