Dai Pai Dong Diaries
2023
This ceramic vase is a tall, cylindrical form, created using slab construction and finished with a glossy black slip. The surface is intricately carved with scenes from a traditional dai pai dong, a quintessential Hong Kong street-style eatery. The imagery includes signature elements such as stools, tables, and utensils, along with figures engaged in lively interactions, capturing the bustling energy and charm of these iconic open-air restaurants. The minimalist spout and elongated shape add a contemporary, sculptural dimension to the piece.
This vase is part of a larger collection titled Fragments of HK, where each piece tells a story found while wandering through the streets of Hong Kong. Together, the collection captures a mosaic of the city’s everyday life—scenes that may often go unnoticed but are deeply rich in cultural significance.
35cm H x12cm W x 12cm D
Clay, black slip

Techniques
The vase was constructed with the slab-building method, coated in black slip, and then carefully carved to depict the detailed scenes. The carving reveals the raw ceramic beneath, creating a bold black-and-white contrast that emphasizes the liveliness of the depicted setting.





