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David Diao Not To Scale 2016 acrylic on canvas 72 x 120 inches
Diao was born in Chengdu in 1943. In 1949 he came to Hong Kong and then left for New York in 1955. While his
journey from Chengdu to New York was full of uncertainty, Hong Kong was essentially his transit spot en route both
geographically and emotionally speaking.
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David Diao HongKong Boyhood 2017 installation view
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David Diao Arrive/Depart 2016 acrylic on canvas 42 x 100 inches
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David Diao Tsim Sha Tsui 2 2016 acrylic and collage on canvas 68 x 88 inches
Map of China, Kowloon, Lantau island and Hongkong.
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David Diao My Favorite Image of Her 2016 acrylic and silkscreen on canvas 2 panels 100 x 42 inches overall 100 x 84 inches
David Diao reminisces "I can remember (our apartment) was located in a new five-story building on Chatham Road. Across from our house was the sea, and there were a railroad
and a park nearby. Li Lihua's place was on the building's second floor. I remember peeping into her place from outside. The interior decoration was strikingly beautiful
and intact. Our unit was on the top floor, its interior simple enough. We moved in when the flat was finished but barely had the chance to paint the walls. My grandfather, a retired general
of the Chinese Nationalist Party, was frustrated and disappointed, but he would still have tea with his friends at Peninsula Hotel while losing every penny of his savings in the gold exchange."
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David Diao American Dream in HongKong 2016 acrylic and collage on canvas 68 x 88 inches
Li Lihua was Diao's neighbor from 1950 until 1955. She is styled as a cowgirl for the "Free Talk: magazine cover, while the adjacent image shows a
10yr old Diao wearing a Rodeo t-shirt. .
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David Diao A Child's World 2014 acrylic and vinyl on canvas 70 x 40 inches
1, 2, 3 represent the site of his home, school and church, the whole world of a child.
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David Diao Swimming in Shatin 2016 acrylic on canvas 18 x 39 inches
Swimming in Shatin was one of the only outings the Diao Family went on during these years.
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David Diao True Light Lutheran Church 1 2016 acrylic and 1-shot enamel on canvas 30 x 30 inches
Diao's home, school, and church were located in an area between Chatham Road and Nathan Road. His life centered around his
school, which was two streets away from his home, and a church one block away, which often distributed cards with reproductions of
religious paintings. It was likely that Diao's interest in art was piqued by the church's handouts.
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David Diao First Refuge (Church Guest House) 2016 acrylic and silkscreen on canvas 48 x 60 inches
This is the first place where Diao family got put up before moving to the Chatham Road apartment. This is a period photo
from the 50s. Now this location is surrounded by huge highways, the building demolished.
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David Diao First School (Elvy's,) 2016 acrylic and vinyl on canvas 60 x 78 inches
During his nearly six-year stay in Hong Kong, Diao had been intensively learning English because of his family's resolution to settle abroad.
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David Diao HongKong Boyhood 2017 installation view
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David Diao I was caned by the Headmaster 1 2016 acrylic and silkscreen on canvas 78 x 60 inches
Corporal punishment was prevalent in Diao's school from the headmaster for naughty behaviour.
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David Diao I was caned by the Headmaster 2 2016 acrylic and silkscreen on canvas 78 x 60 inches
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David Diao This Way Out 2 2016 acrylic and carbon on canvas 42 x 100 inches
Hong Kong was a transportation hub, a point of departure for the Diao famly. The next stop could be Brazil or
America. Not sure which, they knew they wouldn't stay in Hong Kong forever. They came to Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon,
a less vibrant place then, and settled down in a new building on Chatham Road.
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David Diao HongKong Boyhood 2017 installation view
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David Diao Neighbor 1950-1955 2016 acrylic and silkscreen on canvas 36 x 78 inches
Li Lihua was Diao's neighbor from 1950 until 1955 when he moved to New York.
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David Diao Best Western 2016 acrylic and vinyl on canvas 48 x 32 inches
Currently, the site of Diao's former Chatham Road apartment building is the location of the Best Western Hotel.
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David Diao My Best Friend 2016 acrylic and vinyl on canvas 48 x 32 inches
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David Diao School Crest 2 (Diocesan Boys' School) 2016 acrylic and enamel on canvas 46 x 36 inches
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David Diao HongKong Boyhood 2017 installation view
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David Diao History of England 2016 acrylic and vinyl on canvas 48 x 32 inches
An image of the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.
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David Diao God Save The Queen 2016 acrylic and vinyl on canvas 54 x 70 inches
During his nearly six-year stay in Hong Kong, Diao had been intensively learning English because of his family's resolution to
settle abroad.
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