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Accessories in Tray, from the series In Case it Rains in Heaven
by Kurt Tong

ARTIST STATEMENT

Traditionally, many Chinese believe that when a person dies, he leaves with no earthly possessions, and it’s up to their descendants to provide for them in their afterlife until reincarnation.

Joss paper, made from coarse bamboo paper, is burnt as offerings for the dead. Depending on the region, Joss paper is decorated with seals, stamps, silver or gold paint. These are often folded into the shape of gold or silver ingots.

Plain Joss paper is offered to newly deceased spirits and spirits of the unknown. Silver is given to ancestral spirits, as well as spirits of local deities. Gold spirit money is given to higher gods, such as the Jade Emperor. Some believe that the money will enable their ancestors to live lavishly in the afterlife. Others believe that the money is used to bribe the guards and the Black Judge of the afterlife in order to escape early. More contemporary varieties of Joss paper include Hell Bank Notes and paper credit cards.

In the last 50 years, more and more elaborate items have been made out of paper as offerings for the dead. Cars, servants and houses were common sights at funerals. As consumer culture takes over in China, Joss products have become more and more outrageous. While this practice is officially banned in China, it has always been tolerated.

Some see the offerings as compensations for what a person never had during his lifetime. Many consider the items as a reflection of the values of the living and of society.

In 2006, it was reported that paper prostitutes, Viagra, condoms, ecstasy and gambling equipment were found outside of cemeteries. This led to a crack down of the more extreme products.

The images in this series reflect some of the products currently available to burn for the dead.

All items were burnt as offerings to my ancestors.

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Accessories in Tray, from the series In Case it Rains in Heaven

by Kurt Tong

archival pigment print
available framed

  • Custom Order

    Select your print and frame:
    • 8"x10" 24
      Add frame 115
      • Black Frame, recommended 115
      • White Frame 115
    • 11"x14" 60
      Add frame 185
      • Black Frame, recommended 185
      • White Frame 185
    • 16"x20" 240
      Add frame 490
      • Black Frame, recommended 490
      • White Frame 490
    • 24"x30" 1200
      Add frame 1725
      • Black Frame, recommended 1725
      • White Frame 1725

  • Unframed prints usually ship within 5 days of purchase.

  • Custom orders ship 3 to 4 weeks after purchase. For faster delivery, select Ready to Ship. Quantities and selection of Ready-to-Ship art are limited.

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ADDITIONAL PRINT INFORMATION

  • Limited-edition, exclusive to 20x200
  • Museum quality: archival inks, 100% cotton rag paper
  • Artist-signed + numbered certificate of authenticity included
  • Directly supports the artist
  • Available framed or print only

These prints are created using archival pigment inks on 100% cotton rag paper with a luster finish.

Our quoted dimensions are for the size of paper containing the images, not the printed image itself. We do not alter the aspect ratio, nor do we crop or resize the artists’ originals. All of our prints have a minimum border of .5 inches to allow for framing.

We recommend a custom frame in black solid wood with UV protected plexiglass and a white archival mat. Please note: Framed art may take up to 4 weeks to ship. Available for U.S. orders only.

  • 8"x10" print offered in 14"x16.5" frame (3/4” front profile x 1 1/4” side profile)
  • 11"x14" print offered in 16.5"x19.5" frame (3/4” front profile x 1 1/4” side profile)
  • 16"x20" print offered in 22.5"x27.5" frame (3/4” front profile x 1 1/4” side profile)
  • 24"x30" print offered in 30.5"x36.5" frame (3/4” front profile x 2” side profile) with enhanced UV plexi glass

Would you like a framing consultation? Contact our experts: framing@20x200.com.

Learn more about our framed prints.

 

How to Frame Your Art

All of our prints have a minimum border of .25 inches to allow for framing. We do not alter the aspect ratio, crop or resize the artists' originals—quoted dimensions are for the size of paper containing the image, not the printed image itself. For exact image sizes and more helpful info, view our framing guides: