What’s it like being Jamaican in Hong Kong? For Chinese language-Jamaican Monique Lai, it’s a narrative of twin heritage, inventive evolution, and proudly representing Jamaica in areas the place Caribbean tradition is never seen.
Within the newest episode of Jamaicans to the World, host Xavier Murphy sits down with Monique, photographer and filmmaker whose life journey spans Montego Bay, China, and Hong Kong. Born to a Jamaican-Chinese language father and a Hong Kong mom, Monique’s story is one among cultural fusion, wealthy household historical past, and a ardour for visible storytelling that now defines her profession.
Monique grew up in Jamaica, attending Mount Alvernia Prep and Excessive Faculty in Montego Bay, however spent a lot of her childhood summers visiting household in Asia. “From a really younger age, I used to be actually taken with Asia and the chances,” she recollects. These early experiences—watching the colourful lifetime of Hong Kong unfold round her and visiting her father’s village in China—impressed her inventive creativeness. “After I would return to Jamaica, my creativeness would simply spiral.”
That creativeness finally led Monique to pursue directing, first for stage productions like ‘Jamaica Farewell’, and later photography and film. Her transfer to Hong Kong was fuelled by a need to problem herself creatively and join with audiences in new methods. “I needed to see if I might inform a narrative or emotion by means of a single picture—with out dialogue.”
and her Dad is Jamaican-Chinese language
Now settled in Hong Kong, Monique runs a pictures and video enterprise and not too long ago returned from engaged on a mission on the prestigious Venice Biennale. She describes Hong Kong as a sophisticated, fast-paced metropolis that’s environment friendly and provoking—but in addition costly. “The price of residing is excessive, however there have been extra gross sales these days, which helps,” she shares. Public healthcare is inexpensive and accessible, and establishing her inventive enterprise was a clean course of with the fitting assist.
Regardless of her Chinese language look, Monique is usually mistaken for an area till she begins talking. “Lots of people say I’m the primary Jamaican they’ve ever met,” she laughs. “I’m all the time blissful to be that individual.” Representing Jamaica in a spot the place Caribbean id is essentially unfamiliar comes with its challenges, however Monique embraces the position. She even discovered a small Caribbean group in Hong Kong that helps preserve her linked to residence.
And like many Jamaicans overseas, she deeply misses the meals—particularly patties and Maggi merchandise. “Each time somebody visits, I get somewhat bag of goodies,” she says with a smile.
On the coronary heart of Monique’s story is a deep respect for her roots, a drive to create, and an openness to the world round her. Her recommendation to different Jamaicans considering of creating an identical transfer? “Keep open and receptive. The tradition could be very totally different, nevertheless it’s additionally extremely enriching.”
Are You a Jamaican Residing Overseas? We’d love to listen to your story. E mail us at [email protected] to be featured in an upcoming episode of Jamaicans to the World.
