London’s Chinese community is the third largest ethnic minority group in the UK and one of the oldest in the capital with over three hundred years since their presence was first recorded. This project explores the stories of several different generations of Chinese people in London including both recent individuals and earlier forgotten members of the community.
Chinese in London is a series of six products inspired by mundane and everyday items in common use, they are seen as the direct product of the two cultures. And so these previously ordinary objects, familiar in British daily life and often overlooked, reveal their Chinese connection and aesthetic, thus inspiring people to discover the stories and influence of the Chinese community in the UK.
The main illustration references Chinese shui-mo hua (ink and wash) painting and follows the path of the River Thames through London, representing it as a branch of a tree. The items growing on the tree represent the themes focused on by the Chinese in London product series. Each product includes a story of a particular theme. These themes cover the Chinese tea trade, Chinese books, the rise of the Chinese launderette, Chinese take-away, the Chinese sewing industry and the growing popularity of Chinese medicine in London.
These packages were designed to be reused as lanterns. Perforations were made in the shape of the London skyline that would light up when placed over a light source.
the package pattern
a selection of the products with their packages
the perforated London skyline and the branch illustration continues through all six packages when they are stacked next to each other
all six packages stacked together