Stephanie Shih's Photograph at LACMA Connects Asian and Latin American Culinary Traditions

Stephanie Shih's photograph "梅國 (Still life with chamoy and Dirty T Tamarindo)" is on view in the exhibition "The Global Appeal of Blue-and-White Ceramics" at LACMA's new David Geffen Galleries. The work incorporates two ceramic objects from LACMA's collection: a Mexican Jar (Jarrón) (circa 1700–50) and a Chinese Lidded Prunus Vase (Meiping) with Lotus Sprays (1127–1279), illustrating the transmission of blue-and-white ceramics from East to West. Shih also references the migration of preserved plums—Chinese huamei, Hawaiian lee hing mui, Filipino champóy, and Japanese umeboshi—as predecessors of Mexican chamoy. The artist collaborated with Alana Solis, who uses her aunt's chamoy recipe, to highlight the connection between Asia and Latin America in Los Angeles. The photograph features confections amid flowers and ceramics.