National Museum Australia displays Aboriginal-Chinese artistic connections in Australia

This April, the National Museum of Australia unveils a powerful and pioneering exhibition that sheds light on a little-known but significant part of Australian history. Our Story: Aboriginal Chinese People in Australia brings to life the unique and enduring connections between two of the world’s oldest cultures, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore their shared heritage through an extraordinary collection of artworks, stories, and archives. Running from 10 April 2025 to 27 January 2026, this landmark exhibition is the first of its kind and provides free entry to the public. A shared history unveiled The exhibition is the product of a three-year research project led by artist and researcher Zhou Xiaoping, who has worked closely with families of Aboriginal–Chinese descent to uncover their ancestral and cultural ties. Through a stunning display of 17 contemporary artworks, over 30 historical and archival photographs, and personal oral histories, Our Story invites audiences to reflect on themes of identity, cultural heritage, self-discovery, and Australia’s multicultural roots. “Families of mixed Aboriginal and Chinese descent are now widespread across Australia and are coming to recognise their shared heritage and history of marginalisation in the 19th century,” said Zhou Xiaoping.“Our Story places the history of Aboriginal–Chinese people permanently into the collective consciousness of the Australian public.” The exhibition also features the work of eight contemporary artists of Aboriginal and Chinese descent, whose pieces highlight the rich, intertwining narratives of the two cultures while exploring their unique experiences and perspectives as Australians. Truth-telling and reclamation Margo Ngawa Neale, Indigenous curatorial advisor and… Read More