Our Story: Aboriginal Chinese People in Australia is currently on display
at the National Museum of Australia, until 27 Jan 2026.
This groundbreaking exhibition explores the history of relations between Aboriginal and Chinese people in colonial Australia and the long-lasting connections between two of the world’s most ancient cultures. It brings to life a previously overlooked but important part of Australian history and the experiences of two communities living on the margins of settler society.
The exhibition is the culmination of a three-year research project led by artist and researcher, exhibition curator Zhou Xiaoping and features contemporary artworks, personal accounts and oral histories by Aboriginal–Chinese people, alongside historical photographs and archival documents. It showcases the work of eight contemporary artists of Aboriginal and Chinese descent, who explore what it means to be Australian by reflecting on their ancestral, familial and cultural connections.
National Museum Deputy Director First Nations, Dr Jilda Andrews, said the National Museum was delighted to be the world’s first venue for this extraordinary exhibition.
“This is arguably the first and largest body of work on this subject to date,” 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.
“What better way to do this than with a pioneering presentation of 17 artworks and more than 30 contemporary and archival photographs and documents that explore cultural heritage, identity, self- discovery and the very foundations of our multicultural society.”
(Excerpts from the media release by National Museum of Australia on 10 April 2025)
30.04.2025
The exhibition "Our Story: Aboriginal Chinese People in Australia" officially opened at the National Museum of Australia on the evening of May 29. About 300 people attended the opening.
Panel participants: facilitator Dr Jilda Andrews (First Nations Deputy Director, NMA); Zhou Xiaoping (Our Story exhibition curator and participating artist); Gordon Hookey ( participating artist) and Jenna Lee (participating artist).
As project leader and exhibition curator, first and foremost, I (Xiaoping) would like to thank all the individuals and their extended family members. It is important to tell these stories directly from you. Thank you to the artists, who's support of this ambitious exhibition with your personal experiences have also been crucial to its success. On behalf of all the families and artists, I would like to thank the National Museum of Australia for hosting this important exhibition. It is of extraordinary significance.
30. 05. 2025
