about
Wayne Louie (he/him) is a Vancouver-based, queer, multidisciplinary artist working in textile and fashion. A second-generation Chinese-Canadian, Louie studied Interior Design and Fashion Design at KPU and Graphic Communication at Emily Carr University. His work is deeply rooted and influenced by his Chinese heritage and the legacy of his ancestors who immigrated to Canada. Louie explores the historical impact of racist policies like the Chinese Canadian Head Tax, Chinese Immigration Act/Chinese Exclusion Act and Asian Hate that have been inflicted onto Chinese communities. Through textiles, threads, and yarns, his art examines Chinese immigrant narratives and material culture, filtered through queer style and beauty. As a bicultural artist, Wayne continues to navigate his place between identities, sharing his experiences through his work.
artist statement
My artwork reflects the ancestral Chinese immigrant stories from the time of the Chinese Head Tax to today through the vocabulary of clothing and everyday objects. I fuse traditional and contemporary stories and Chinese symbols together with vintage and modern materials using slow fashion techniques and applied arts. My work uplifts the cultural and social richness of the Asian diaspora as well as the voices of Chinese Canadians—underscoring the importance of preserving and stitching together traditional and contemporary narratives as a channel for healing and resilience.
