Oriental Futures is a photographic series exploring the oriental setting that is apparent in sci fi cinema, particularly that of Blade Runner (1982) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017). This series aims to reconcile the use of ‘Asia’ as decoration within predominantly white storylines by highlighting its appearance and making it central to the images. By placing herself in the images the artist assumes these futuristic Asian stereotypes to question her own identity in relation to how asian culture is perceived in Western cinema.
Zoe Wong’s practice explores her half Chinese, half Australian heritage as well as her queer identity through photographic appropriation and mixed media installations. Her work illustrates the complexities behind the influence that pop culture has on society’s notions of race and identity and how we perceive ourselves through representation in mass media. Wong describes her practice as a “De-Orientalising” practice in which she works to break down and critique notions of the East presented in a Western context.
