This piece is named “Chop Suey” which is the transliteration of the Cantonese word “tsap sui”meaning “odds and ends” or the Mandarin term “tsa sui” meaning “miscellaneous pieces”.

Both of these meanings and the English transliteration resonate deeply with my mixed background.

One can use the chopsticks to eat chop suey which is a Chinese American dish made up of meat, seafood, vegetables, and sauce over rice. Usually sautéed together from whatever leftovers there are.

One can also use the chopsticks to hold together a bun, hairstyle, and/or one’s being and image.

Graciously modeled by my beautiful sister Sara; we both share sentiments of meshed cultural identity and confusing origins.

All hand forged and fabricated.