New show about cultural connection

A PART of local Chinese history will be projected for all to see as part of an upcoming exhibition this weekend.

Comprising drawings, paintings and video projection, the display, titled Journeys We Are On, will take place at Ballarat Trades Hall from Saturday, 18 June to Sunday, 19 June.

The exhibition features work by artists Jenny Zhe Chang, Ni Ni, Hong Fu, and Echo Cai – who will also curate the event – and Cai said the theme of the exhibition is about Chinese-Australian history.

“It’s about making history come alive, and that connection between old and now,” she said.

“The pieces are about capturing the Chinese heritage in Ballarat and the cultural touchstones that have passed through the generations.

“The video is always moving, and that together against the still images of the paintings and drawings provides a contrast for that.”

The pieces were inspired by writer Zhimin Shen’s 2017 book Retracing the Great Walk which chronicles Chinese prospectors’ journey from Robe to Ballarat during the gold rush.

In 2019, the artists filmed their recreation of the trip alongside interviews with the descendants of the original travellers, which became the video piece, Generations.

Other works include oil landscape paintings of Ballarat and The Classic of Mountains and Seas, a traditional Chinese scroll drawing depicting mythical beasts and lands.

The artists will be present for both days, and Cai said the exhibition will highlight the connection between China and Ballarat.

“It’s just engrained in the culture there, and that’s something we should face and remember,” she said.

“I hope it gives the audience a different angle to see the deep Chinese-Australian history in Ballarat.”

Journeys We Are On will run from 10am to 8pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.