Marshall To grew up a second generation Chinese immigrant in rural Canada. His family was Taoist and owned a Chinese Restaurant. To's father believed that people lived in a supernatural world that existed simultaneously with the physical world. He believed we humans were surrounded by the spirits of loved ones, those awaiting reincarnation and by those who remained, restless and vengeful.
In Taoism, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, the gates of Hell open to allow Hungry Ghosts a chance to once again roam the earth in search of food and sustenance. Taoist families venerate the dead during this time. They offer prayers to their deceased relatives for protection and burn Hell Notes (money) to help ghosts to live comfortably in the afterlife. These Hungry Ghosts are dangerous. They take many forms - owls, snakes, moths, birds, foxes, wolves, and tigers. Some can even use the guise of a beautiful man or woman to seduce and possess. This time of year is a celebration, but also a warning to tread lightly. A time to be careful not to offend those who we don’t see. To be careful because the gates are open and the ghosts are hungry.
In his debut monograph, To depicts the thinning veil between natural and supernatural. Providing evidence of the intertwining of realities, of cultures, and of versions of ourselves.
