Dim Sum Delight
Dim Sum Delight is inspired by dim sum culture and the local, family-owned restaurant Rol San. In Feb 2023, Rol San briefly shut its doors and relocated up the street because their landlord chose to develop their block into a condo. They operated at this previous location for 28 years. Later that Spring, Joyce Li and her parents, the co-owners of the establishment, were able to reopen at 388 Spadina to continue serving all-day dim sum in the heart of Chinatown.
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 now, the series is comprised of eight illustrations, each inspired by a specific small business or story.