THE NOVICE, FRY AND FLEDGLING
我全未曉

The novice, fry and fledgling 我全未曉 draws upon a 圍頭 (Waitau/Weitou) bridal lament that uses fish and bird metaphors. The installation comprises three large silk paintings, multichannel sound and text. The animals who feature in the lyrics of the laments are presented throughout Chan’s silk drawings, representing the feelings and sufferings of the bride (“catfish, flat-headed, in an unfamiliar place”), as well as reflecting upon the freedom before marriage (unlike “Huamei, chirping in the dead of the night” – a caged bird).  

​The title of the artwork The novice, fry and fledgling 我全未曉 alludes to new learning of  圍頭話 (Waitau/Weitou language) for Chan. “Fry” references a term for young fish species and “fledgling” refers to the new wing feathers of a young bird, making it fit to fly. With humble care and sensitivity to the experiences of family and kin, Chan often performs Waitau language in pop songs, extending the significance of these matrilineal songs to supportive community spaces, where people can connect with the songs in new ways.

The novice, fry and fledgling 我全未曉 was commissioned for Mare Amoris | Sea of Love at UQ Art Museum, curated by and Peta Rake, Léuli Eshrāghi, Isabella Baker, Jocelyn Flynn.


UQ Art Museum, Brisbane
25 July 2023 – 20 January 2024