Louise Zhang’s Queen Mother of the West reclaims the aesthetics of oriental chinoiserie, conscious of how cultural symbols have been exoticized by Western cultures, transforming them again into a powerful medium of healing and self exploration as a Chinese Australian artist.
Like the immortal peach or the resilient water lily, their traditional meanings are re-interpreted in the contemporary context of Chinese diaspora and feelings of alienation within the third culture children experience. This act of reclamation serves not just as an artistic expression but as a healing process, reasserting her place within the cultural dialogue.
Opening celebration: Thursday 12 September 6-8pm