De Afhaalchinees (The Chinese Takeaway) is a work about the millions of Chinese orphans who have been adopted into the Netherlands. With a touch of irony, the paradox of adoption is analysed from the perspective of adoptees. The important question is asked: Is interracial adoption always good idea?
"How do you call an adopted child from China?"
Chinese Takeaway is the answer to this common joke told in the Netherlands. De Afhaalchinees is a work that transforms this insulting joke into an ironic and literal image by creating an entire restaurant of Chinese Takeaway baby’s . The poignant visual aspect of the installations together with the extensive menu of the restaurant question the ethics of adoption and criticises the normalisation of racism against Asian people. The work explains why adoption is a huge paradox, from various aspects. Topics such as the Chinese one-child policy and the abuses that took place in Chinese orphanages are discussed. But also the question why the Netherlands, knowing about these abuses, still allowed, and even praised adoption. The work also brings to light how identity development of adoptees can be disrupted. Dealing with trauma’s and the loss of culture, family and familiarity in your own race is difficult. Growing up as a minority in a culture where jokes or ridiculing songs about your race are normalised and stereotypes are enforced by the media, is suddenly not so funny anymore.
