Bev Moon is an Auckland-based New Zealand artist of Seyip, Taishanese, and Cantonese descent, whose multidisciplinary practice encompasses drawing, sculpture, painting, and textiles. Her work delves into cultural constructs, reflecting on her heritage as a descendant of Taishanese men who immigrated to New Zealand during the 1880s gold rush era. Moon's art seeks to convey the courage and resilience of her ancestors while commenting on her experiences growing up amidst social, cultural, and material expectations.
A notable work in Moon's oeuvre is the installation Fortune, a knitted yum cha banquet created during the 2021 Auckland lockdown. This piece serves as a tribute to her mother and grandmother, both skilled cooks and knitters, who were among the 500 Chinese women and children granted temporary refuge in New Zealand during the Sino-Japanese War. Through Fortune, Moon intertwines culinary art and textile craftsmanship, exploring the hardships and opportunities experienced by early Chinese settlers in New Zealand.
Fortune has been exhibited in several public institutions across New Zealand, including Whirinaki Whare Taonga, Upper Hutt (2023), Hocken Collections, University of Otago, Dunedin (2023), Waikato Museum, Hamilton (2023), Eastern Southland Gallery, Gore (2023), Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, Masterton (2024), Whanganui Regional Museum, Whanganui (2024), Wellington Museum, Wellington (2024–2025).
These exhibitions have provided audiences with an opportunity to engage with Moon's intricate knitted representations of traditional yum cha dishes, fostering a deeper understanding of New Zealand's Chinese heritage.