A dynamic and diverse celebration of contemporary Asian-Australian artists
Catch a range of dynamic work created by contemporary Asian-Australian artists throughout Metro Arts. Be immersed in a striking and colourful installation created by multidisciplinary artist Vanghoua Anthony Vue. Then explore Oriental Women, a series of hand-coloured photographs that are reminiscent of early ethnographs of the Oriental and Exotic Other, created by Brisbane-based artist Sancintya Simpson. Chat with Bridie Gillman in one of the studios at Metro Arts as she gathers experiences for a forthcoming work. Sit down for a meal with Jamie Lewis in Saltwater, her immersive performance on love, loss and migration. Then head out the back for a drink as part of Yum Chat with Philippine-born artist Alrey Batol’s eclectic site specific installation.
2016 Program
ORIENTAL WOMEN // SANCINTYA SIMPSON
10AM – 4.30PM (WED TO FRI), 1PM – 6PM (SUN) / STUDIO 4.2 / LEVEL 4
Sancintya Simpson’s new hand-coloured photographs of her Oriental Women series are reminiscent of early ethnographic photographs of the ‘Exotic Other’. For the series, she has photographed her friends and self, posed as oriental beauties, sitting for the western gaze – but she distorts this by photographing the women eating cheap Oriental flavoured instant noodle. Through this process she links the historic stereotyping and fetishisation of cultures, food and people to that of contemporary society.
RESEARCH LAB // BRIDIE GILLMAN
10AM – 4.30PM (WED TO FRI), 1PM – 6PM (SUN) / STUDIO 4.2 / LEVEL 4
Drawing from her background experiences of living in both Australia and Indonesia, Bridie Gillman’s practice has focused on the hybridity that often results as part of the process of negotiating cross-cultural experiences. In the lead up to Yum Chat at Metro Arts, Bridie Gillman will set up a temporary research lab in Studio 4.2, where she will be investigating the relationship between Australia and Bali. Relations with our northern neighbour, Indonesia are unsteady at best yet our attraction to the idyllic island of Bali seems to withstand any political unease between Canberra and Jakarta. What separates Bali from the rest of the country? And what are the side effects of this tourism and exchange? It is this relationship that Bridie wishes to probe.
KERBSIDE IKEBANA // ALREY BATOL
6.30AM – 3PM (MON TO FRI), 6PM – 9PM (SUN) / FOYER / GROUND FLOOR
With the delicate sensibilities of Japanese flower arrangement; Alrey Batol reassembles unwanted kerbside furniture together into the site-specific installation Kerbside Ikebana. By bringing together these unwanted goods, Alrey considers material culture in the First World, in particular the connection between obsolescence and affluence.
Special performance on Sunday 21 February 6pm – 7pm.
PAJ THEEM NTAIV // ANTHONY VUE
10AM – 4PM (MON TO FRI) / STAIRWELL
A striking and colourful installation takes over the stairwell of Metro Arts, stretching across four levels.
BEYOND SPRAY TAN AND WHITEWASH: ASPIRATIONS FOR AUTHENTIC ASIAN REPRESENTATION ON STAGE AND SCREEN* //
2PM / WAREHOUSE / LEVEL 4
While ‘yellow-face’ and ‘brown-face’ have become increasingly unacceptable, the whitewashing of Asian roles and stories prevails, despite audience demand for authenticity. Annette Shun Wah and Michelle Law discuss the evolving representation of Asian people on stage and screen, celebrate the types of action being taken, and share their views on the change that needs to happen.|
Speakers: Annette Shun Wah and Michelle Law
Facilitator: Indigo Willing
RESERVE YOUR FREE PLACE NOW
IDENTITY AND CREATIVE PRACTICE: ASIAN-AUSTRALIAN ARTIST PERSPECTIVES* //
2.40PM / WAREHOUSE / LEVEL 4
Share a cup of tea with our special guest conversationalists, local Asian-Australian artists, as they chat about their creative practice and how identity and culture informs their work. Guests are invited to participate in three 20 minute conversations during this facilitated session.
Afternoon teas hosted by: Arun Ketsirat, Elysha Rei, Jamie Lewis, Katrina Irawati Graham, Marianna Shek, Nasim Khosravi, Nelle Lee, Ngoc Phan, Sammie Williams, Sancintya Simpson, Shari Indriani.
LEADERSHIP AND THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIAN ARTS IN THE ASIAN REGION* //
4PM / SUE BENNER THEATRE / GROUND LEVEL
‘[Li Cunxin is] a remarkable Australian whose life and success are an inspiration to so many Australian and global artists and cultural leaders. We are thrilled to have the first Australian recognised as an Asia game changer – a symbol of Australia’s place in the world and our close cultural, economic and community ties with our region.’
– Warwick Smith, chairman of the Asia Society
Li Cunxin, celebrated Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet, shares his perspective on what it means to be an Asia game changer, to lead an Australian arts organisation in the Asian Century and to succeed in the arts in the region.
Speaker: Li Cunxin
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AUSTRALIANS IN ASIA: INTERCULTURAL AND TRANSCULTURAL COLLABORATION IN THE ARTS* //
4.30PM / SUE BENNER THEATRE / GROUND LEVEL
Australian artists share their experience of collaborating with Asian artists, and the lessons learnt in cultural difference in the creation of intercultural and transcultural work.
Speakers: Luke George, Jeremy Neideck and Leisa Shelton
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THE CONTEMPORARY ASIAN ARTS SCENE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS IN ASIA* //
5.15PM / SUE BENNER THEATRE / GROUND LEVEL
International producers and presenters discuss the contemporary Asian arts scene providing insights on how Australian artists can connect and create opportunities in the region.
Speakers: Erik Kuong Wa Fun, Creative Links (Macau); Yi-Wei Keng, Taipei Arts Festival (Taiwan); Anna Chan, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (Hong Kong); and Rama Thaharani, Indonesia Performing Arts Market (Indonesia)
Supported by Brisbane Powerhouse and the Australian Performing Arts Market
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NETWORKING SESSION* //
6PM – 9PM / CARRIAGEWAY / GROUND LEVEL
Continue the conversation over a drink and Asian cuisine in the Metro Arts Carriageway.
Want more contemporary art? Metro Arts spotlights the work of contemporary Asian-Australian artists including Jamie Lewis’s immersive performance on love, loss and migration “Saltwater”; multidisciplinary artist Anthony Vue’s striking and colourful installations; and work from Bridie Gillman following a residency in Malaysia.
RESERVE YOUR FREE PLACE NOW
SALTWATER // JAMIE LEWIS
7.30PM / BASEMENT / GROUND FLOOR
Following a popular Melbourne season and sold-out Brisbane Festival season last year, Saltwater returns for one night.
Experimenting with intimate forms, this one-woman semi-autobiographical meditation on strength and vulnerability invites the audience to share a table. Enter into stories and conversations of loss, grief, love and commitment.
Saltwater is an autobiographical performance which will include story-telling, conversations, and the preparation and sharing of a meal in a performance space.
A meditation on memory and identity, Saltwater explores the role of the woman and her response to loss, grief, love, and commitment.
A cross-cultural examination of Asian women and their perceived roles, as well as a look into the displacement of migration, Saltwater invites audiences members into an intimate exchange over conversation and food.
*Works that are a part of the Yum Chat program. Yum Chat is presented by Brisbane City Council. Yum Chat is supported by Brisbane Powerhouse and the Australian Performing Arts Market.
Image: Jamie Lewis, Saltwater Performance
