Packing List: Jason Phu

One gains a strong sense of Sydney-based artist Jason Phu simply through the titles of his work. A few, in no particular order: 
“if the moon farted all the birds would die” 
“10 flowers i picked at a cemetery and left on your door step, now you’re haunted by their ghosts and the cops think you are the cemetery flower robber” 
“even in death, the fish that nibble on my toes, will think of you” 

Working across drawing, installation, painting, performance and film, Jason’s influences are as varied as his mediums, compiling inspiration from the likes of comics, cartoons, funny jokes, family history and Chan Buddhist imagery. 

Jason had the distinct honor of being the first person to sleep over at Ace Hotel Sydney before we opened our doors in 2022. While there, he inked our walls, weaving humor, ancient folklore, cultural commentary and personal narrative into illustrations of ghosts, spirits, demons and Chinese gods as the personification of these concepts. Recently, Jason returned to the hotel to lead a scavenger hunt-style tour of his multi-floor work, “navigating the ways of the heart over the mountains and through the seas.” We caught up with him about underwear, gifts for strangers and the Billy Connolly wisdom he packs by. 

When traveling for work, does the art you’re creating influence how or what you pack?

No, not at all. I always just pack very light. I just find everything I need wherever I’m going and use that. If they only have blue paint I use that; if they only have peanut butter I will use that and eat it in the morning with a slice of toast. 

Where do you come up with the titles for your pieces? Do they ever come to you while you’re on the road?

Yes they almost always do, but not in an inspirational way, it is simply the last thing that needs to get done, make the artwork, get it shot, then finally send the artwork details in. So it is easier to save that typing for a flight, bus or a long train as I can’t paint or get things shot on those vehicles because the driver will shout at me.

You’ve done a number of artist residencies in China. How do you approach packing for residencies?

I just make sure I have my T-shirts I like wearing that are comfortable, they are like a warm hug — one is a bunch of cats playing in a jazz band and it is great. And dental floss, hate getting a fish bone stuck between my teeth and being unable to extract it. Underwear.

What’s something you always bring when traveling, no matter where you’re headed?

Underwear. You never know when you might shit your pants. And some small drawings — often on the road, a stranger or a friend or a stranger that has become a friend has housed me or looked after me and won’t accept money, so I will give them a small drawing as thanks.

Any memorable past packing mistakes?

When I was 20 I was going on exchange to Nova Scotia, Canada and I was not a very bright lad and thought Canada was cold year round and full of snow and ice so I packed 4 hoodies, a thick jacket and thermals to land in the middle of 36 degree summer.

What packing advice have you picked up over the years that you want to pass on?

Pack light. But one warm thing goes a long way even if you’re traveling to a hot place, you never know if you’ll get stuck in an over airconditioned airport or if there’s a random cold snap that happens. As Billy Connolly would say, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing.”

A little snack: When you’re hungry a couple of macadamia nuts goes a long way.
A tooth brush, a stick of deodorant and a small hand towel: Sort of like a shit shower, but a shit shower is better than no shower.
A good book: I love a good book.
A small gift for a stranger: A small thank you goes a long way
A memento from a loved one: Travelling can be lonely, but remembering your friends and family brings a lot of comfort when you’re stranded on a desert island with only fish and crabs to eat and a small fresh water stream to drink from.

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