- Where
Focus Gallery, 9am to 5pm daily
- Featured artists
Vernon Ah Kee, Gordon Hookey, Lloyd Gawura Hornsby, Jenna Lee, Damien Shen, Christian Thompson, Jason Wing, Zhou Xiaoping
Our Story: Aboriginal–Chinese People in Australia sheds light on the little-known history of Aboriginal and Chinese relations in colonial Australia.
The exhibition explores themes of identity, survival, resilience and cultural connection, tracing these enduring legacies from the gold rush era to today.
Curated by artist and researcher Zhou Xiaoping, this project draws on historical records and oral histories to bring these untold stories into the collective consciousness of all Australians.
Exhibition highlights
Unwritten (108 Portrait #15) by Vernon Ah Kee
House of Gold by Christian Thompson
Chinese Cabbage Leaves by Zhou Xiaoping
To light up: stories by Jenna Lee
Coming to Australia by Lloyd Gawura Hornsby
Serpent People (Boy with Snake Belly) by Jason Wing
Yut, Yee, Sahm by Damien Shen
Dragonserpent by Gordon Hookey
An 8-year-old Michael Laing stands between his Aboriginal grandfather Gordon Charles Naley about 1916, and his Chinese grandfather Leung Kee about 1930s
Chinariginal by Zhou Xiaoping
Vernon Ah Kee is a descendant of the Kuku Yalandji, Waanji, Yidinji and Gugu Yimithirr peoples with Chinese ancestry. A political activist and founding member of the art collective Proppa NOW, Ah Kee's work explores race, identity and colonial legacies.
Gordon Hookey is a Waanyi man with Chinese and Javanese ancestry. Hookey’s work sits at the intersection of cultures, shedding light on historical and contemporary issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Lloyd Gawura Hornsby is a descendant of the Yuin people with Chinese and French ancestry. Hornsby combines the traditional dot painting techniques with personal narratives in his art practice.
Jenna Lee is a Gulumerridjin (Larrakia), Wardaman and KarraJarri Saltwater woman with mixed Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and Anglo-Australian ancestry. Lee's work explores language, materiality and the transformation of inherited narratives.
Damien Shen is a South Australian man of Ngarrindjeri and Chinese descent. Shen’s work draws on his cultural heritage to explore themes around identity, culture and history.
Christian Thompson has Bidjara, Irish and Chinese–Australian heritage. Thompson’s multidisciplinary practice spans photography, video, sculpture, performance and sound, exploring themes of cultural hybridity, identity and history.
Jason Wing is of Chinese and Biripi descent. Wing’s work explores issues of bi-culturalism, indigenous rights and political identity through sculpture, street art and installation.
Zhou Xiaoping is a Chinese–Australian artist who has been actively engaged with First Nations communities across Australia since the 1990s.
In celebration of Reconciliation Week, a special Our Story panel conversation was held for the exhibition opening. The Museum's First Nations Deputy Director, Dr Jilda Andrews joined a discussion with exhibiting artists Gordon Hookey and Jenna Lee with exhibition curator Zhou Xiaoping.
Acknowledgements
This exhibition was developed by artist and curator Zhou Xiaoping with the support of the National Museum of Australia and the Museum of Chinese Australian History.
Our Story is on show at the National Museum of Australia from 10 April 2025 to 27 January 2026.
Banner image courtesy of Zhou Xiaoping.