Devora Neumark - Part of the Family?

The project emerged in collaboration with artist Rowena Yin-Fan Chan and Doris Lee of the Open Door, which was formed in 2009 to promote policies for both domestic workers and their employers.

Part I - LETTERS OF GRATITUDE

Part I of the project involved the accumulation of a series of letters of gratitude written by former and current employers and/or their family members to their domestic helpers detailing the reasons why they are thankful to their helpers. Some letters acknowledge the sacrifices and suffering of the MDWs in having to leave their families to work in Hong Kong as helpers. Letters were handwritten or typed. Some were written in Chinese, others in English. In lieu of letters some individuals submitting drawings. A selection of letters/drawings (whether submitted on A4m, postcard, or other format), were printed poster-size for the exhibition.

Letters from Employers

Translations of Letters

Exhibition Opening - June 26, 2016

Photo credit: Eddie CY Lam

Part II - “OUTSTANDING EMPLOYER” CONTEST

Part II of the project involved setting up a public competition for MDWs to nominate their employers for the “Best MDW Employer Award”. A jury selected the winning dossier: both the domestic helper and the employer received recognition and a token prize. The project’s legacy will be to continue this contest on an annual basis, hosted by the Open Door.