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CELEBRATING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH 3 CREATIVES
It’s Chinese New Year, a spring festival which is celebrated in China, East Asia and across the world. It’s a time to celebrate life, joy, harmony and hope for the year ahead, something we all need right now. We caught up with 3 amazing Dublin-based creative Chinese women about their artistic endeavours and to see how they are celebrating the mighty Year of the Ox.
Illustrator Helen Yu
MEET ILLUSTRATOR HELEN YU
On growing up Chinese in Dublin
UCD student Helen Yu was born and raised in Ireland but studied in China for 2 years. An illustrator and artist she finds her work a “relaxing therapy” and a way to express herself. Her inspiration comes from life as she loves to draw people and things around her.
Illustration of Brown Thomas at the heart of Chinese New Year by artist Helen Yu.
On her Chinese New Year Illustration for Brown Thomas
This year as we are in lockdown I created an imaginary scene of the Chinese New Year right at the heart of Dublin city --- right in front of Brown Thomas on Grafton Street. My hope is that all the Chinese elements in my artwork will bring interest and knowledge to the Irish people in terms of Chinese culture and to encourage more and more people to participate in the fun of Chinese New Year.
On how she will celebrate the Chinese New Year this year…
Although I am sad not to be able to return to China this year, the Chinese New Year in Ireland is great! I will make some traditional paper cut window flowers to decorate my home. On New Year’s Eve (11th February), I will also watch the Chinese Spring Festival Gala on TV, and I will video-call my family in China to wish everyone a healthy and safe year ahead.
HELEN’S CHINESE NEW YEAR WISHLIST LIST
Cake designer and decorator Linlin Ding.
LINLIN DING
On moving to Dublin
Having moved to Dublin 4 years ago, Linlin works as a financial professional but in her spare time she creates beautiful and delicious cakes.
On Baking
I bake not only because I love delicious food but as a way to be more mindful. From weighing the ingredients, decorating the cakes and presenting each one, every step is a joy. Baking has really enriched my life and has opened me up to a whole new community of friends. The best part is seeing the happy faces of my friends when they take their first bite.
Cake designer and decorator Linlin Ding's beautifully created cakes.
On her Chinese New Year cake
I have designed a special red velvet cake for CNY which I will decorate with gold – the two colour themes of Chinese New Year, which symbolises good wishes for the New Year. The sweet and sour flavour makes it perfect as the dessert to eat after our Chinese New Year’ Eve Feast.
On how she will celebrate the Chinese New Year this year…
The Zoom party is on! As we can’t celebrate with friends because of the lockdown, we will have lots of Zoom parties on New Year’s Eve, and I will prepare delicious cakes to send to their homes so we can celebrate virtually.
LINLIN’S FAVOURITE BAKING TOOLS
Liya Ye makeup artist and UCD student.
LIYA YE
On moving to Dublin
I am a student at UCD and have been living in Ireland for about two years but my biggest passion is makeup.
On Beauty
I LOVE creating beauty looks. I have always liked painting and I believe makeup is kind of like painting on the face, being involved in the makeup artist world in Ireland has been a great way of socialising. I’m inspired by many things but mainly I find it a way of expressing ideas and experimenting with things I see some of my favourite makeup artists try out.
Liya's Chinese New Year beauty look which is inspired by Chinese New Year Spring Festival Couplets.
On her Chinese New Year beauty look
The inspiration of my CNY look comes from the Spring Festival Couplets, this is a poem vertically pasted on both sides of the front door and a four-character horizontal scroll affixed above the doorframe which is an important part of Chinese New Year festival. My dad creates the Spring Festival Couplets every year. This makeup look uses black and red as the symbol of Chinese New Year.
On celebrating the Chinese New Year in Ireland
I will celebrate with my roommates (we are a bubble now) and create a Chinese New Year Eve feast, I'll also video chat with my family in China.
LIYA’S CNY BEAUTY FAVOURITES
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