The narrative

The inspiration, archiving and realisation of this exhibition runs parallel to, and is informed by, a ten year personal journey. This began, in 2002, when I was privileged to have the opportunity to live in Beijing and work for an International Design Institute.

这次展览的最初灵感与最终成形与我个人在中国的十年之旅密不可分。它开始于2002年，我得到了一个特殊的机会，来到了北京，就职于一所国际设计学院。

It draws together my own individual perceptions of China as well as my acceptance, as a foreigner, through marriage, into a Chinese family. The history of that family is in itself unique, in that there is documentary and photographic evidence that contextualises dramatic historical events, as well as personal references to many of the exhibits on display.

这是我所观察到的中国和我的亲身感受。通过婚姻，我接触了解到一个中国家庭。在我这个外国人的眼中，这个家庭有着独特而耐人寻味的历史。展览中有很多来自于这个家庭的服装，图片等实物资料。借此，我们可对同时期的中国社会变化窥见一斑。

The Yu family photograph taken in 1930 shows three generations and illustrates not only traditional dress defined within an aristocratic and eminent context but the embraced influences of Western style that became influential amongst wealthy Chinese families of the time. Pictured on the back row, fourth from the left is Yu Jing Yuan (my wife’s grandmother) and fifth from the left her sister Yu Jing Yan. Extraordinarily, garments from both these women have survived to the present day and formed the initial catalyst for the archive.  

余家全家福，摄于1930年代。在这张家族三代人的合影中，既可以看到雍容华贵的中国服饰，也可以发现同时期的西方时尚元素已开始在传统风格上产生影响。

余静媛（后排左4，我妻子的祖母），余静岩（后排左5，静媛之妹）——本次展出的中式旗袍曾经的主人。这几件有着近百年历史的旗袍给了我做本次展览的最初灵感。