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 Emeritus Curatorial Fellow (First Nations) at the National Museum, describes the exhibition as a powerful act of truth-telling and reclamation.
“Our Story is a reclamation story, reclaiming that history by families of mixed descent who until now could never share or celebrate that part of their history. They had enough trouble being Aboriginal, let alone being Chinese Aboriginal,” she said.
“This is a coming out, a celebration.”
Multimedia artist Jason Wing, whose works A.B.C. Aboriginal Born Chinese and Serpent People (Boy with Snake Belly) are featured in the exhibition, shared his own personal connection to both cultures.
“I am very proud and privileged to have both ancient Dragon and Serpent blood. Aboriginal and Chinese cultures are two of the oldest, most adaptive, resilient and powerful cultures in the world,” he said.
“Our Story redresses this disparity by educating people about the remarkable cross-cultural parallels, families and relationships. It is a great honour to exhibit with significant cross-cultural artists representing and educating people about this cultural alliance historically and today.”
A groundbreaking collaboration
The exhibition has been supported by both the National Museum of Australia and the Museum of Chinese Australian History in Victoria, as part of a broader initiative that includes a book and an online survey documenting the lives and experiences of Aboriginal-Chinese people in Australia.
Dr Jilda Andrews, National Museum Deputy Director First Nations, praised the exhibition’s importance in revealing a complex and often overlooked chapter of Australian history.
“This exhibition provides a powerful insight into the complexity of Australian history,” Dr Andrews said.
“Our Story is an important national project that shines a light on a largely unknown and unacknowledged chapter in Australian history for many Aboriginal–Chinese people who can trace their connections back to the gold rushes of the 1850s.”
Visit the exhibition
Don’t miss this extraordinary exhibition that celebrates resilience, connection, and the enduring influence of two ancient cultures on Australian society.
Our Story will be on display at the National Museum of Australia from 10 April 2025 to 27 January 2026, with free entry for all visitors.
This is your chance to witness history come alive and join a long-overdue conversation about identity, heritage, and the shared stories that shape Australia today.