Home Dreaming

By Carol Wong

About the pillowcases

Patterns found on imported Chinese products such as porcelain and embroidery, which were popular during colonial times. The patterns here tell a story revealing the hopes and aspirations of my parents, who left Calcutta during the 1960s. The first sight of British roof-tops as the plane came into land is an everlasting memory. One pillow represents hopes for an ordinary life - the quintessential British home, children, achievements, and freedom to live an uninterrupted life. The other pillow represents dreams sacrificed to the demands of survival - an original wish for education and a place at a top university, which the move to Britain represented, challenged by the need to earn a living for the children. These are perfect dreams made imperfect by the struggle.

About Carol Wong     

Carol Wong is an artist usually working in steel and glass, having trained at MorleyCollege, Central St Martins and RichmondCollege. She has exhibited in group shows in and around London for example: Space Station 65; Trail of Glass; RaggedSchoolMuseum. She also works in a social enterprise seeking social change.