2025
Archival pigment print on fine art paper
Each print is hand-signed and individually numbered by the artist

Do you love noodles?
Julie Progin celebrates them with oodles of fun, humour, and gusto with her tasty Fiery Noodle print series reimagining the humble bowl of noodles through symbolism and anthropomorphism.

Visual references to Hong Kong’s vibrant martial art scene and culinary heritage, cultural references to luck and longevity are woven into the works along with playful twists as noodles come to life knitting, boxing, doing martial arts, weaving or getting noodle perms.
Julie Progin shares, “I love a good bowl of noodles, but they also carry deep symbolic meaning in Chinese culture representing longevity and good fortune making them a staple during celebrations like the Lunar New Year or birthdays.”
Building on her research about classical Chinese porcelain ware motifs Julie Progin adds another layer of reference to longevity in her prints hidden within the ceramic bowls. You have most likely come across the red, yellow, and teal longevity wares in restaurants or your favourite antique ceramic shop. The longevity pattern is made up of a floral motif mixed with four equally spaced circles containing the Chinese characters Wàn, Shòu, Wú, Jiāng. The phrase wàn shòu wú jiāng translates to Boundless Longevity and is the key component of the classic longevity design depicted in the prints.
Another allusion to good fortune is the Chinese knots rendered in Tying the Knot and most particularly the double coin knot, characterised by its flat, symmetrical appearance resembling two overlapping ancient coins symbolising longevity and prosperity.
Julie Progin comments, “It’s all about a depth of reference. Each print from the Fiery Noodle series is rich in meaning and grown out of wishes for luck, prosperity, and longevity. I layer different narratives in each of my works, shaping connections between them. They contrast, collide and in the end coalesce to form images that surprise.”