About
My name is Ahmoy. I am an artist and educator based and raised in Dᶻidᶻəlaĺič / a little crossing over place / Seattle.
I taught myself how to tie 中国结, or Chinese knots, in 2019. I drew from sewing knowledge taught to me by my mother and Do Po (grandmother), who are descended from Chinese laundromat workers. I was also shown how to tie maritime knots by my father, drawing from our family's history of working on ships and ferries in the Pacific Northwest. These knots have a spiritual quality— historically, Chinese knots are hung on the walls of homes, temples, and businesses to guard them from harm. Every knot I tie contains my intention of protection. This is particularly relevant in my community of Queer Asian Americans—when I give a knot to someone, I hope that it protects them from homophobia, transphobia, and racism.
I am also a self taught jade carver. I use nephrite deposits, which are found on this land, to create charms and pendants. I am currently continuing my stone carving education at the Pratt Fine Arts Academy, where I am a 2024–2025 recipient of the Edwin T. Pratt scholarship for artists of color.
Portrait by Teddy McDonald
My artistic practice is inspired by my ancestors. When I came out as a transgender man, I felt very alone. I didn’t know anyone else with my experiences, and there were few books or historical examples for me to look up to. As I began to research my family’s heritage, I found that I wasn't the first queer Chinese person in my lineage. As such, my artistic practice is based in creating heirlooms that memorialize my closeted ancestors. I create art that shows how queer Chinese people have always existed.
My work is based in history. I earned my Bachelors Degree in American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington, and I continue to study history as a passion. I believe that we can use art to make visible the invisible—uncover the stories that have been marginalized and make them impossible to ignore. My current project, Tacoma Method Memorial Knot, is concerned with recognizing and honoring the 500 Chinese Americans who were violently expelled from Tacoma and Seattle in 1885 and 1886. This project is supported by the Northwest Film Forum’s Collective Power Fund.
The name for my small business, Xiăo Quilt, means “little quilt,” and is a reference to my family’s history of textile production. I publish writing under the name William Lau. I enjoy gardening, learning Lushootseed, and sitting in rivers.
Butterfly Knot, 2023