NEW YORK — Brooklyn-based illustrator Ruth Chan is accustomed to using her artistic talents for children’s books and comics. 

Her latest pieces were created on a different type of canvas: red envelopes, used in Asian cultures for gift giving during big celebrations, like the upcoming Lunar New Year welcoming the Year of the Tiger.

Chan looks back fondly on the celebrations of her childhood.


What You Need To Know

  • The Red Envelope Show is in its seventh year. This year at Hashimoto Contemporary on the Lower East Side

  • It was developed by Albert Chau, aka Grumpy Bert, who showcases work from artists and illustrators from around the world

  • Artists use red envelopes, traditionally used for gift giving in parts of the Asian world, to create their works
  • Many of the works pay tribute to the Year of the Tiger, which will be welcomed during Lunar New Year Celebrations Tuesday, Feb. 1

"I remember it was so exciting and we would all gather and then my parents would whisper in our ears, ‘You are not allowed to open them until we get home,’” said Chan.

Chan is among the artists from around the world participating in this year's Red Envelope Show, on display at Hashimoto Contemporary Gallery on Rivington Street in the Lower East Side. 

It’s presented by Spoke Art and curated by Albert Chau, also known as Grumpy Bert. He started the show seven years ago with just a few artists. This year, there are around 125.

"The thing that I love most about this show is the variations, as you can see there's a lot of different colors, things that stand,” said Chau.

There are a lot of tributes to the Year of the Tiger, with some other images sprinkled in like robots and nature scenes. Chau says he tells the artists to just have fun with their creations, so they don’t have to stick to any particular set of guidelines, other than using the envelopes.

Chan says this was the perfect time to make her debut in the show, a tribute to Asian culture.

"This is kind of like a lovely way for us to celebrate who we are and sort of what we love,” said Chan.

The show runs through January 29 and is free and open to the public, but appointments are recommended.

Head here to find out more.