Door gods, or menshen, are traditional protectors placed outside private homes in a popular Chinese folk practice. Often portrayed as burly and bearded guardians, the menshen are, one could say, filled with masculine energy. Artist Singha Hon’s rendering, “Door Gods: Our Community Protectors,” presents them as queer and femme, protecting community care for everyone from garment workers to local herbalists. In one illustration, the door guard’s flowing garments depict a community on strike, perhaps battling gentrification or unfair wages.
Hon’s work is part of From Chinatown, With Love (FCWL), an annual mutual aid program hosted at Abrons Arts Center in partnership with the W.O.W. Project. FCWL celebrates the beginning of the Year of the Wood Snake, and many snakes abound throughout the show, including on the large glass window facing the street. The project reimagines the door gods and other traditions, with opportunities to support local businesses by purchasing items.
One such item is “2025 Calendar,” which centers a photo print by artist Mischelle Moy that incorporates objects from the show’s 25 participating local businesses. Like an elaborate still life, the calendar depicts a penjing (bonsai) from Peony Chinese Bonsai on Walker Street, fish sauce from Bangkok Center Grocery on Mosco Street, and a point-and-shoot camera from EWA Trading Co. on Mulberry Street. Those who spend $35 shopping locally can receive five red envelopes and stickers.
These businesses also feature in a wall installation designed by Weiyun Chen, Supatida Sutiratana, and Pei-Hsun Wu. A poster provides more information about each business’s history. A poster for Lucky King bakery on Grand Street tells us that six Toisan brothers started the bakery in 1990, while one for G&J Florist on Elizabeth Street relays the business’s origins as a florist that has since grown into a seller of farm fresh produce. Co-founder Gary drives to Pennsylvania to collect the produce and bring it back to the store.
And no Lunar New Year-themed show would be complete without red envelopes, traditionally used to give gifts of money. FCWL’s participants reimagine them as gifts for intention setting, with prompts like, “What do you wish for your local neighborhood and community in the new year?” and “What wish do you have for the year of the wood snake?” Visitors are invited to pen their responses and hang the envelope on the wall.
Many snakes show up in the red envelopes on display — including a rendering of the classic 1970’s videogame Snake — and many wishes. One starts off in Chinese with 今年我希望 (“This year I hope”) and finishes with English: “new opportunities to care for my friends and community, and abundant energy provide that care.” “This year,” another says, “I want to experience instead of ruminate.”
In what’s already proven to be a trying year, these envelopes read like prayers, a reminder that community and community care will help us get through the tremendous challenges ahead. While the snake often connotes fear and distrust, it can also symbolize the possibilities of rebirth and renewal. As one red envelope prompt reads, “What do you wish to shed and transform in the new year?”
From Chinatown, With Love continues at the Abrons Arts Center (466 Grand Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan) through February 4. The exhibition was organized by Midnight Project in partnership with Abrons Arts Center and the W.O.W. Project.
