Location Statement for Vicki (Lili) Chen
I was born in early 80’s in Guangzhou, China. My family has lived in Guangzhou for generations. My mother and father were both pulled away from their families in The Cultural Revolution. My mother worked on road crews. My father was sent to a rubber plantation on an isolated island. My mother and father met during New Year Holiday, which was the only time they could return back to their hometown, and it was when my father offered her a banana from the plantation farm. I arrived into the world soon after.
In 2002, at the age of 20, I came to Vancouver, Canada with only two suitcases. I left Guangzhou, my family, my friends, and all my comforts to live with an Auntie and study English. I lasted six months before heading north to Prince George. I wanted to be independent, and independence is what I got. Without family for the first time in my life, I learned that I am very adaptive and good at surviving. In addition to learning English, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Fine Arts Certificate, I fell in love, married, and have three children and a cat. I have a house and a garden and a home business making soap and bath products.
When I came to Canada, like many other Chinese students, I chose a new name for myself—Vicki. When Asian people smile to a camera, we often make a “V” symbol with our fingers. “Ki ki” means “smile” in Cantonese, so “V” Ki Ki made sense to me: it sounded happy. Also, my Chinese name, Chen Lili is very common. Choosing my own name made me feel unique.
I have had a minor crisis of identity while signing my name during practicums. I have always used my Chinese signature—for banking and school—but I was suddenly afraid that students and their parents or guardians who not understand the characters. I feel very strange signing my name in English. It is strange, but the act of signing my name feels important, and I feel that although I liked to be called Vicki, I need to sign my name in Chinese characters, Chen Lili.
My children have the family name “Chen-Pearce.” We wanted them to carry both of us in their names, and we are all brought closer together as a result.
I am of two worlds, having lived almost equal amounts of time in China and Canada. I love both parts of myself, and having been made richer by my experiences, I am better for having adventures, taking risks, and being curious.