"Story of Rice seems to me to be a dialogue of small gestures that are not intended to give knowledge on the subject to which it relates, but is an attempt to draw a map to track, revise and locate fragmented stories."

Roc Laseca, arts crtitic, La Opinion

The story of rice is an ongoing research project which seeks to bring together a multiplicity of ideas that have its root in a small, simple item of food. Through dialogues with people from different geographical, cultural and social contexts, Chan collects anecdotes, proverbs, poems, slogans, idioms and drawings which offer an insight into the myriad of subjective perceptions of rice. From a child's perspective, to the experiences of rice farmers in rural China, local people, immigrants and other city dwellers, the project attempts to charts some changing and unchanging associations.

Stories collected at each location are used to create a sensory installation. To date installations have included a large scale installation of neon lights and video projections in a former petrol tank, a nocturnal video projection enlivening the exterior façade of a cinema in Chinatown, London and a delicate floor installation constructed with various local rice flours and grains in China.

Story of Rice (4), Canary Islands, Spain

Camera - Ming Tsang & Suki Chan
Post-production - Suki Chan
Photography - Ming Tsang & Suki Chan
Soundscape - Stephen Ives

Commissioned by Galeria Oramas, funded by Gobierno de Canarias and Ministerio de Cultura.

Story of Rice (3), Leicester, UK

Commissioned by Leicester New Walk Museum in collaboration with BBC Radio Leicester, funded by Roots project, Arts Council England.

Story of Rice (2), London, UK

Animation by Andrew Hunwick & Suki Chan

Commissioned by CAS, funded by Westminster Council, London.

Story of Rice (1), Yunnan, China

Research residency supported by Upriver Loft Arts Space, Kunming, assisted by Triangle Arts, funded by British Council.