06 April 2011
Exhibition reveals artistic gateways into Chinatown
A new exhibition at the Chinese Museum opening this month will be the first in a series of exciting art events planned for Melbourne's Chinatown, as part of a new strategy that aims to bring a contemporary artistic edge to the heritage precinct.
GATEWAY: Context, translation, place & displacement (18 April-23 May) is the inaugural exhibition of the Art In Chinatown Strategy initiated by the RMIT University Design Research Institute's Mediated City program, in partnership with the Chinese Museum.
The strategy aims to identify opportunities for developing contemporary art projects and exhibitions in the urban spaces of Melbourne's Chinatown that will contribute to the diverse creative and cultural life of the City of Melbourne.
Geoff Hogg, RMIT Research Leader Art in Public Space, said Chinese and Australian artists were increasingly working closely together.
"This exhibition helps extend this process through collaboration between the RMIT School of Art, East China Normal University, Shanghai, and the Chinese Museum," he said.
The GATEWAY exhibition draws its inspiration from the gateways of Chinatown, a symbol and entry point of Chinatowns internationally.
The 13 exhibiting artists have experienced the influence of Chinese culture from multiple perspectives. Their works engage and reflect upon these changing relationships between Australia and China, unique to the conditions of an increasingly globalised world.
From Chinese artists living and working in China to Australian artists who have experienced China through residency programs, the exhibition highlights the experience of intercultural dialogues from multiple perspectives.
The 13 artists from Australia and China who have been inspired by the environment and heritage of Chinatown are Cameron Robbins, Clare Leporati, Greg Szopa, Claire Tracey, Joanna Buckley, Maggie McCormack, Shao Xiong Chia, Tammy Wong, Geoff Hogg, Ceri Hann, Jacqui Chan Julian Clavijo, Wei Tianyu and Angela Zhang.
For interviews: RMIT Art in Public Space Research Leader, Geoff Hogg, (03) 9925 4961 or 0413 624 831, and Chinese Museum Deputy Chair, Mark Wang, (03) 9662 2888 or 0409 388 813.
For media enquiries: RMIT University Communications, Gosia Kaszubska, (03) 9925 3176 or 0417 510 735.
