A new exhibition at the National Museum of Australia (NMA) highlights the “little-known” history of Aboriginal–Chinese people.
Our Story: Aboriginal–Chinese People in Australia has opened at NMA’s Focus Gallery.
It will run until 27 January 2026.
The exhibition explores themes of identity, survival, resilience and cultural connection, tracing the enduring legacies from the gold rush era to today.
It also sheds a light on the “little-known” history of Aboriginal and Chinese relations in colonial Australia.
The exhibition is curated by artist and researcher Zhou Xiaoping.
“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,” he said.
“Our Story places the history of Aboriginal–Chinese people permanently into the collective consciousness of the Australian public.”
Xiaoping interviewed more than 100 people and families; with their stories being shared across the exhibition and published in a book of the same name.
He spent decades of preparation before putting together a team of researchers in 2020 to future explore the topic.
“This exhibition is the outcome of the research,” Xiaoping said.
He said the exhibition would also be showcased in China.
One of the artists involved is Biripi man Jason Wing, who has both Aboriginal and Chinese heritage.
Wing said he was excited to be involved because the exposure of the Aboriginal–Chinese relationships corrected, addressed, readdressed and educated about the “true history of this country”.
“That for me was exciting to help educate people that there are alternative histories and they need to be celebrated equally as colonial history is celebrated,” he said.
“That was the part that excited me. When I make work purely about Aboriginal challenges and issues it’s very traumatic, well it’s a horribly traumatic thing to make outwards about it.
“However, when I make works about my Chinese–Aboriginal (heritage), somehow it’s not as traumatic, somehow it’s more about strength and resilience.
“Even though obviously we have strength and resilience with mob, but there’s some sort of shift in my brain where it becomes an exploration of, I don’t know, I can’t quite articulate, but there’s something different about it.”
NMA’s deputy director of First Nations Dr Jilda Andrews said the exhibition provided a powerful insight into the complexity of Australian history.
“It’s also a rare view into relationships, expressions of respect, shared experiences in difficulties and also love,” Ms Andrews said.
“Our Story is an important national project that shines a light on a largely unknown and acknowledged chapter in Australian history.”
Canberra Daily would love to hear from you about a story idea in Canberra and the surrounding region. Click here to submit a news tip.
Feeling social? Follow Canberra Daily: Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) | Tik Tok | YouTube
