AFA ANNFA x GLORIA CHUNG:

A&G BOULANGERIE, 2025, JPS GALLERY,HONG KONG

"If you're a baker, making bread, you're a baker. If you make the best bread in the world, you're not an artist, but if you bake the bread in the gallery, you're an artist. So the context makes the difference."

—Marina Abramovic

Visual artist Afa Annfa and food stylist Gloria Chung presented their first duo solo exhibition at JPS Gallery Hong Kong. Inspired by an iconic quote from conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramovic, this unique showcase explored the complex relationship between authentic and artificial food, examining their artistic significance and symbolic meanings. The exhibition, titled A&G Boulangerie, focused specifically on bread and butter—staple foods that hold profound cultural significance in our lives.

The exhibition space was divided into two distinct zones: a meaningful kitchen island in the main room and an altar area that added a sacred dimension to the everyday act of breaking bread. This dual arrangement fostered an engaging dialogue between the mundane and the divine.

Breaking Bread: From Daily Sustenance to Cultural Canvas

The central area of the gallery focused on the profound significance of bread, a fundamental element of human sustenance that had been woven into the fabric of civilisations throughout history. Bread, in its many forms, had not only served as essential food for survival but had also evolved into a powerful symbol that went beyond mere nourishment.

In both Western and Eastern cultures, bread carries deep-rooted symbolic meanings that reflect the essence of human existence—life, sustenance, community, and shared experiences. In Christian traditions, particularly in the Eucharist, bread holds sacred significance as it represents the body of Christ, symbolising unity among believers.

Artists across generations have used bread as a recurring motif in their work, employing it to represent human labour, craftsmanship, and the contrast between abundance and scarcity. The portrayal of bread in various contexts often serves as a subtle yet impactful indicator of social status and economic conditions, highlighting the ongoing reality of societal inequalities and daily struggles.

Afa Annfa's 30-DAY LOVE LETTER

The main space comprised two installations: 30-DAY LOVE LETTER and a meticulously curated kitchen island. 30-DAY LOVE LETTER was a remarkable fusion of wooden sculptures and paintings by Afa, who used bread as a multifaceted symbol representing craftsmanship, emotional connection, and spiritual depth. Through a series of intricately carved wooden bread slices, the artist created a visual narrative that chronicled the evolution of a relationship—from its initial spark to its full bloom, decline, and, ultimately, rediscovery. This piece served as a deeply personal metaphor in which Afa examined her relationship with artistic creation, essentially composing an intimate love letter to herself and her journey as an artist.

Artificial Devotion: The Altar

This room explored the profound symbolism of butter through two contrasting installations: Gloria’s sculpture of Guan Yin made from real butter will be positioned directly across from Afa's collection of handcrafted statues, which served as a monumental tribute to believers.

Butter exists in a fascinating state between solid and liquid, never fully committed to a single form. Its distinctive taste has captivated palates throughout history, yet it serves best as an enhancer that elevates other ingredients to their full potential. It inspired Gloria to transform butter into a representation of Guan Yin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, creating a unique fusion of the mundane and divine.

However, during the artistic process, an intriguing paradox emerged: the butter deity, despite its sacred presentation, is fundamentally a human creation—a physical manifestation of the philosophical notion that "gods are born from human imagination." In response to this revelation, Afa created an imposing monument made of artificial butter, deliberately placed in opposition to Gloria’s Guan Yin. This juxtaposition raises profound questions: when both pieces are essentially human-made representations, how do we measure the metaphysical distance between the unquestionable divine and the devoted mortal? Through this presentation, the artists delved into complex themes of free will and individual worth, with butter serving as an unexpected yet effective metaphorical vehicle.

Kneading Life's Essence: Afa and Gloria's Artistic Vision

For both Afa and Gloria, the act of creation represented the essence of life itself. They viewed bread and butter as more than mere sustenance; these elements form the fundamental building blocks of existence, nourishing not only the body but also the spirit, imagination, normalcy, and passion. They suggested that life is composed of countless moments and experiences, much like the infinite variations of bread. Their work implied that approaching life with genuine sincerity and dedication leads to true happiness.

Through this exhibition, the artists transformed the common kitchen staple of butter into a powerful medium for exploring deep philosophical and spiritual concepts. The interplay between Gloria's butter deity and Afa's artificial butter sculpture created a thought-provoking dialogue about faith, human nature, and the relationship between creator and creation. Their work challenged viewers to reconsider their assumptions about the sacred and the mundane, suggesting that profound meaning could be found in even the most ordinary materials when approached with artistic vision and philosophical insight.