Grace Wang & Ricky Chan
THE SIMPLE LIFE.
Many of us are on a mission to have the newest thing, or the trendiest thing, or the most impressive thing, or the most extravagant thing. But there are some people who focus their attention on a need for beautiful simplicity.
Today’s Museum Stars Grace and Ricky consider themselves simple people living the simple life and relishing the simplest of things - family, friends and human connection.
The problem with the simple life is that sometimes, external forces add a layer of… complexity.
Grace and Ricky were just two people from Hong Kong, with a life built there, one child, a steady rhythm. They lived the kind of life that does not expect to be moved. But they then felt Hong Kong shift around them.
Leaving was not part of the plan, but now they find themselves trying to reform a simple life here in Solihull. The idea of migration arrived quietly at the beginning of 2021, not as a decision, but as a thought that would not go away.
So step inside their museum, stay a while, breathe, and appreciate the spectacular value of The Simple Life here in Solihull.
Welcome to The Museum of Grace Wang and Ricky Kwan.
Grace
Hello, I am Grace Wang. About three and a half years ago, I came to the UK from Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, I had been teaching some painting and handicraft classes. Now, in the UK, I am studying English classes, and doing some volunteering work. In my spare time, I like to make some desserts. Enjoy our museum.
GRACE WANG
Ricky
Hello, I am Ricky Kwan. I came to the UK from Hong Kong with my wife Grace. In Hong Kong, I was an English and Mathematics teacher. Now, in the UK, I am working for an adult educational organisation. In my spare time, I like to play table tennis. This is a museum about us, enjoy.
RICKY KWAN
The Museum of Grace Wang & Ricky Chan
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We Are Special
A mixed media art work created by Minnie
Jesus is special, and so are the students at St Anne’s Catholic Primary School.
This world renowned artiste, known on the circuits simply as ‘Minnie’ is anything but miny... Minnie’s EPIC.
Using mixed media, and a gentle blend of paint, glue gun, texture and text, this incredible artiste has captured all of the glorious colours in: Hope, Joy, Love and Peace. AKA: The important things in life.
Minnie’s work is just ONE example of the 90 individual masterpieces [created in their own time on their own weekend]. They have formed ART for today. Every masteriece is unique, every one of them is special, and - like Jesus - they will inspire you to care, share and learn together.
Take it from the artistes of St Anne’s... You are special. And take it from The Museum of Me: you are worthy of a museum too.
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Popular Art
A collaborative and unique Pop Art logo collection
Andy Warhol was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement of the 1960s - pop standing for ‘popular’. He created in his unique way, in his unique art works... even if they often repeated the same template. He found his way to make that ‘his’.
He is known for commenting on mass appeal and for iconically transforming everyday items into ‘High Art’. We’re here to do the same with everyday people.
Today... Pop Art is poppin’ once again, thanks to the collaborative efforts of students at St Anne’s. They have boldly, colourfully and imaginatively reinvented the school logo for mass appeal. And isn’t it: colourful?
In school, what is ‘popular’ can feel way more important than what is ‘art’, but let the students of St Anne’s reassure you: Your individual colours are your ‘Magnum Opus’.
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You Are Special In Your Own Way
Text and illustrations presented on A4 card
Frankie-Jay:
It’s rare to know how much someone else is hurting.
We could be standing next to someone who is feeling completely broken and we’d never know. So - be kind always, with yourself and others. 🖤
Kind. Helpful. Respectful. Loving.
Just remember who you are because if someone makes fun of you NEVER change to fit in, because you don’t need to fit in, because you are unique and special in your own way. So be yourself and have a blessed rest of your day!!
BE YOU 🖤
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Every Colour Of Our Rainbow
A collection of respected St Anne’s artistes with their own interpretations of the ‘rainbow’ brief that we did not give.
Primary school kids LOVE rainbows.
It was red and yellow and green and brown and scarlet and black and ochre and peach and ruby and olive and violet and fawn and lilac and gold and chocolate and mauve and cream and crimson and silver and rose and asher and lemon and russet and grey and purple and white and pink and orange and blue.
Whatever colour of the above you are feeling today, whether gold, or blue - you are exactly where you need to be. Even those feeling... blue, know that tomorrow you might be gold... or asher or lemon or russet or grey. You get the picture.
Embrace your colour of today, because colours shift. Enjoy this collection centred around all the colours of the rainbow, and people... and more.
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GIRL POWER
The maginificent power of girls, expressed in mixed media and mixed texture.
You might have heard of Sporty Spice, Scary Spice, Baby Spice, Ginger Spice and Posh Spice, but there’s a new girl group in town. Introducing: Kacie Girl, Klara Girl, Kyra Girl, Florence Girl and Thaleia Girl who are ready to spice up ya life.
GIRL POWER!!!!
If you wannabe in with the in crowd, you better get friendly because when two become one we will viva forever. Just... say you’ll be there.
Who do YOU think you are? ...Me???...
I’m GIRL POWER!!!!
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Generation... Environment.
An AWARD WINNING collection of environmental inspired works. Award: The ‘Mr Linehan’s Gold Star’ Award.
For too long we have been Generation ME. Even us: The Museum of Me holds its hands up knowing that we are not perfect, we’re working on it... and until we grow, we are sorry.
Luckily, Generation... Environment are stepping up [rather than driving] to teach us how to be better. Because, like people,,, the world is not invincible, like people the world can only take so much pain, and like people the world’s beauty goes way beyond what another might see on the surface.
This collection of innovative artworks is your call to action: you don’t need to be perfect, but why not make that small change to be ‘better’.
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Motivating YOU!
Every ounce of ‘umpph’ you need to make your today incredible. Presented on A4/3 Paper.
Life is hard isn’t it?
Particularly now.
But fortunately, the students of St Anne’s have a couple of takeaways for you to carry through your today/tomorrow/future:. Here goes:
You got this. You are perfect. Selfie confidence is the best outfit. The easy way might be the hard way. If your imagination wants to go, set it free. Happy funny fun. Be ME; unique and special, dancing.
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Not This Or That!
A 3D Pen Masterpiece by Julia alongside a collection of A4 Amazingness, on A4 Paper.
Julia’s art work bursts out from the 2 dimensional page, because they are not a ‘this’ or a ‘that’. We’re gradually learning that we are all kinda ‘thit’s’.
We are a uniquely complex capture of individuality, across identities, interests and appearances.
The artistes selected to be a part of this renowned collection have captured the complexity of complex humanity. Their masterpieces have encouraged arts critics for DAYS that art does not have to be ‘this’ or ‘that’, it could offer up a complex collection of ‘both’.
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The Burden Of My Brain
Mixed Medium. A4 paper being the traditional medium to express the burden of your thinking. A4... and, conversation.
There is SO much to think about. Isn’t there?! uggghhh.
Thought is exhausting.in a way that no gallery or museum could ever authenticallty capture, or remedy,
But our selected artistes of St Anne have been commissioned significant amounts of moolah to express what is going on in their heads right now. Art Critics across the globe are saying “Worth ALL the moolah”. *****
Brains are a burden, but hopefully within this collection you can find your way to Let It Go. Let It Go... don’t hold it back any more.
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Leading Art.
An empty cardboard box
OK. So... we are meant to focus on the kids.
But this one is all about Mrs Chester.
See... without Mrs Chester this whole display would be an empty cardboard box entitled ‘Art: Museum of Me’ in green felt tip pen. Luckily, we had a Mrs Chester - supply teacher and ART lead at St Anne’s.
She made this happen, she inspired the children, she created the activity, she got the sign off, and all we did was frame it in a slightly ‘special’ way.
In a world driven by cut backs, this is a shout out for the supply teachers and ART leads like Mrs Chester who consistently nourish creativity in our kids.
Image Gallery