Introducing Anh and Chi Life, a collection designed by local female Asian artists
Twenty-twenty saw the global COVID-19 pandemic. We also saw an increase in ever-existing Anti-Asian hate sentiments. Cracks in our system exposed inequities across race, gender, ability, to name a few.
In Spring of 2021, Anh and Chi reached out to four local female Asian artists. Five beautifully designed artworks were created for their new line of canned beverages and merchandise, Anh and Chi Life.
The new collection pays homage to their family’s journey from Saigon to Vancouver, settled and rooted on Main Street, on the land of the Coast Salish peoples–Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
When asked, why Anh and Chi merch and why only Asian female artists for this project?
Sister and co-founder Thủy Nguyễn (formally Amélie Nguyen) shared, “Sometimes we want to go mainstream (my hope for all things equal). What needs to happen is a focus on underrepresented groups, aligned values, and a collection of meaningful experiences that bring us together.”
Introducing to you, Anh and Chi Life!
- Fever Grass Gose-style ale
- Lotus Paloma canned cocktails
- Cross-Pacific AromaFlora totes & tees
- Main Street Neighbourhood Jute tote
Priscilla Yu @priscillayuart
Priscilla Yu is a local illustrator, muralist, and designer in Mount Pleasant. Her work is inspired by perception and patterns--the way humans create patterns with design, and the way universal patterns can be found within nature on the macro and micro scales. Through abstracted points of perspective and a geometric language, she creates worlds that dwell in a strange gravity. Since 2014, she has participated in international mural festivals representing Canada, and has worked with clients such as Facebook, WeWork, SkiptheDishes, and Loreal Paris. To follow along on her art process and see her work, go to: www.priscillayu.ca.
Mikayla Hong @artbedo
Mikayla Hong is a self-taught artist and biomedical engineering graduate student at UBC. Vancouver is her home and she loves to capture the aspects that make the city unique; from local businesses to incredible food. Her artwork is mainly created using watercolour paints, but she loves experimenting with different styles and mediums. When her business, artbedo, was conceived, she knew that she wanted part of her platform to give back to the community and benefit social change. A portion of all her profits benefits the Downtown Eastside Women's Shelter as well as other Vancouver-based charities.
Arina Sin @itsarinasin
Arina Sin is a second-generation Cambodian settler born to refugees on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting grounds, gathering place, and travelling route to the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux. She is an interdisciplinary designer and artist, whose work centres around using communication, art praxis, and visual language to spark conversations about the histories we inherit and the speculative futures we want to manifest. She is a recent graduate from Emily Carr University of Art + Design with hands in graphic design, interation design, photography, and performance. Arina aims to practice designing with rather than for and tries her best to contribute to the social good of the community, arts, and culture. Explore her art at itsasin.co
La Pham Nikita @laphamnikita
La Pham Nikita is a Vietnamese-American artist. She loves 80s music and is a mother of 2, currently residing in Germany.
50% of proceeds will be donated to ArtStarts in Schools, which provides innovative arts programs for young people, practical resources for teachers and artists, and leadership in advocacy for arts in education.
