Artist-in-Residence Jerry Ma: Bringing the Monkey King Back to Pearl River Mart
The Monkey King — and graphic novel artist Jerry Ma — are back in the Pearl River Mart gallery.
The epitome of tricksterdom, the Monkey King first appeared in the 14th-century Chinese novel, Journey to the West. Embodying rebellion, daring, and adventure, the folk hero has since appeared in countless plays, operas, literary works, television shows, video games, and movies.
Jerry’s modern Monkey King idea began with his first exhibition at Pearl River Mart, A CHINATOWN ODYSSEY, his debut solo show, which reimagined the mythical creature and his legendary cohorts on adventures — and misadventures — throughout Manhattan’s Chinatown. This new group exhibition, THE MONKEY KING IN CHINATOWN: ILLUSTRATED JOURNEYS OF A CHINESE LEGEND IN NYC, furthers those adventures.
We had the chance to speak with Jerry about how his life has changed since his first show, what the Monkey King means to him, and how he has been inspired by his fellow exhibitors.
The first time you exhibited your work with us was back in January 2020. How have things changed for you since then?
They've changed a lot. During the show people kept asking, “Why don’t you make a book?” and I thought, Who has the time? But then covid happened that same year and suddenly I had time. So I made the book. The art show really kicked that off. I set up a Kickstarter for the book and was able to raise enough to also give red envelopes to 14 different small business, including Pearl River.
I thought people would care more about that book, and when they didn’t it was humbling. So many different versions about the Monkey King are always coming out, and I thought maybe I was wrong about urbanizing and updating him.
After that, I met with a new publisher called The Lab Press about a couple of books. One got greenlit but didn’t happen. Then they came back and said, “Actually we want the Monkey King.” I didn’t even pitch it to them. It’s going to be like a 200-page book. Instead of a usual comic writer, I went with the Jeff Yang. He edited the Secret Identities anthology, which I illustrated.
It’s under way as we speak. This Monkey King is absolutely the one from my first art show with Pearl River. He’s the one who will be in this upcoming book.
Do you think the pandemic has had any affect on your work? If so, how?
The most valuable commodity is time. During the pandemic we were forced to be at home. I was able to teach myself how to watercolor paint and had time to work on the Monkey King book. That was also how I met my wife. We met in person during 2019, but the shut-down gave us the opportunity talk to each other and get to know each other much better.
Your first exhibit depicted the adventures — and misadventures — of the mythical Monkey King and his equally legendary friends throughout Manhattan’s Chinatown. How is this show different?
It’s more than one person’s point of view. It speaks to the diversity of this group of artists and how they see the Monkey King. For instance Soo Lee felt strongly about drawing a punk rock Monkey King. That’s the one she always wanted to see. Kimberly Wang wanted to focus more on Chinatown with the Monkey King in the background. I appreciate that she wanted to make Chinatown the priority.
What do you hope visitors get out of this exhibition?
When I was growing up, there was so little representation for Asian heroes. There are more options today but still just a few. That’s why the Monkey King is still important. He’s an integral part of Chinese culture and history that continues to speak to modern audiences. He’s become a new Asian American superhero. I hope viewers get as much inspiration out of him as I have.
What’s something you're finding inspiring right now?
Most of the artists in the show are my friends. I hang out with them all the time. But we don’t study each other’s work. The benefit of curating is they have to send me all their work so I get to see it up close and in high res. I’ve learned quite a bit just by looking at their work. I also know the obstacles they had to deal with in order to participate in the show. It’s flattering to know they’re just doing it because we’re friends.
What makes Pearl River Mart a good fit for this show?
For me and several of the artists in the show, Pearl River Mart has been such a huge part of our lives. In college I would go to get inspiration. I used to just buy random things. I would get Chinese design fabrics and use them for tablecloths at ComicCons. I would find different papers to draw on. Going to Pearl River Mart played a large part in tapping back into my culture.
It’s also such a hub for the community. It was at my first exhibit in 2020 that I met Kelly Bit. All the jewelry my characters are actually from Sublima. She happens to live near me. We happen to have become friends. She and her partner were the models for my T-shirts.
It’s an honor to do anything with Pearl River Mart. To be honest curating this show is the last thing I want to do. [Laughs] The only reason I’m doing it is for Pearl River.
THE MONKEY KING IN CHINATOWN is on view in our Soho gallery from May 1 through Aug. 24. Join us for the opening reception on May 1 from 6 to 8 PM. Attendance is free but registration is appreciated.
