Peking Palace
March 2025
16” x 12" paper print, $40
11” x 8.5” paper print, $25
Available for purchase at Toronto local markets and for free pick up in Downtown Toronto. Contact the artists for times and dates.
Custom Order Canvas:
16” x 12” canvas print, $110
Other larger sizes, available for custom order.
Available for free pick up in Downtown Toronto. Contact the artist for orders and details.
Prices do not include tax.
Peking Palace is inspired by the legendary Chinatown restaurant, House of Gourmet. Celebrating 30 years of business in 2025, the Chen family has been serving up Chinese classics all day everyday in their cozy dining room on Dundas St. Although they have around 800 menu items, they serve up delicious BBQ and seafood incredibly quickly. Known for their BBQ, this piece features their highly sought after Peking Duck, which they proudly have hanging in their front window. They serve the meal in 2 courses, featured here is the first course, the traditional way of eating Peking Duck.
Growing up, I ate Peking Duck very rarely, but it always was for a good reason. We would gather for dinner with family and friends to celebrate important mile stones or events and share a Peking Duck. I always love the care of wrapping up slices of duck, being mindful about how much meat I was using so everyone could get enough. If we went to the fancy place to have it, someone would even cut it table side for us. I fondly remember the care and precision that went into slicing each piece evenly, where every cut had a bit of crunchy skin on it.
Peking Palace is a part of my SIK JOR FAHN MEI AH Series where I consider my connection to Chinese food by showcasing some of my favourite dishes from local Toronto restaurants. The series title in English means “have you eaten yet?”. It is a meant as a phrase of love and care.
The BIG FOOD series was developed after the artist painted a mural for a local business called Simple Burger in 2021. The people behind this family-owned spot inspired them to develop a larger series about small businesses, immigrant culture and the love language of food.
Small businesses work above and beyond to operate their shops and produce meals. Behind all of them are people working tirelessly devoting themselves to their businesses. Food feels a lot more precious when we see all the work that has gone into it.
Food is also a love language. It falls under “Acts of Service” and yet it could be entirely its own. Many cultures use food as a form of care and to develop stronger bonds with loved ones. It is what builds our cultures and gives us space to belong to, especially for folks away from their homes. Food paves the way for our communities and often defines what home feels like.
The BIG FOOD series is an unlimited illustration series and will continue to speak to these themes and represent a vast array of cultures and people. As of 2023, the series is comprised of eight illustrations, each inspired by a specific small business or story.