People’s Lantern is a Chinese New Year installation that transforms surnames, ancestry, and migration into a glowing symbol of shared belonging.

A continuation of Wishing Trees, the work reuses the same suspended structure that previously displayed children’s wishes during Christmas. Reimagined for Chinese New Year, it shows how one framework can carry different stories across celebrations.

Inspired by 《百家姓》 (The Hundred Family Surnames), the installation features five suspended lanterns — four surrounding a larger central piece. Each lantern is formed from layered paper-cut Chinese surnames, creating a delicate interplay of calligraphy and light.

The work reflects the diversity of Chinese Malaysian identity. We may come from different dialect groups and ancestral roots, but during Chinese New Year, these differences gather under the same glow.

People’s Lantern celebrates heritage while reminding us that identity is shaped by many stories. Each surname becomes a point of light within a larger constellation, connected by a shared history and community.