Welcome
to correspondences. Our aim is to create lasting people connections across cultures through the medium of art.
to correspondences. Our aim is to create lasting people connections across cultures through the medium of art.
Nini Li Xiaoming
24 April—8 May 2021
Inspired by the Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston Motown classic of the same name, 'It Takes Two' aimed to create a personal connection between our creatives, patrons and the community. We commissioned local illustrator local illustrator Nini Li Xiaoming to draw fifteen of our collaborating creatives for the year ahead.
The beautiful, one-of-a-kind drawings were exhibited at Le Miel et la lune in Carlton from 24 April until 8 May 2021.
Through the exchange of a drawing, we created genuine and enduring people-to-people connections between our artists, patrons and communities who came to see the exhibit while also supporting one of our brilliant hospitality partners during the pressures of COVID-19.
The artworks are exhibited below, followed by a conversation with the artist.
To purchase one of the remaining drawings, please visit our shop.
PAINTER—
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
BIO
Chinese-born 匡再 / Kuang Zai is an award-winning realist painter. Unlike many realist painters, his artworks are never overworked. Instead, as the art critic Robert Nelson remarked, they demonstrate an “instinct for unfussy emphasis”. Since arriving in Australia in 1998, he has exhibited extensively and received numerous awards and accolades for his painterly works. Last year, Kuang presented his work as part of Thinking about Immortality & Kindness. For Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话, he will present a new series of works which extend upon his long-standing inquires into family life, the everyday and the innocence and inner world of childhood across cultures.
Nini Li Xiaoming— Kuang’s paintings are so calm and soothing for the nerves. To show the connection between Kuang’s art and the city where he lives and works, I referred to correspondences’ videography for Thinking about immortality and Kindness, picturing Kuang in front of the exhibition poster, the reflection of a Melbourne tram on the right. Sold © Nini Li Xiaoming
Nini Li Xiaoming—It made me smile when I read Ouyang's poem 'Interview with Yu', re-published in the Silent Dialogue book (quoted below). I have been thinking and writing in English more than Chinese for a while, and I've often wondered why. Somehow I feel more freedom when writing in English (or maybe just because I haven't been writing in Chinese!). Inspired by correspondences' videography featuring Ouyang reading in Bundoora Park - which he visits every day - I drew him surrounded by trees. Sold © Nini Li Xiaoming
POET, NOVELIST, EDITOR & TRANSLATOR —
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
Chinese-born 欧阳昱 / Ouyang Yu is an internationally acclaimed poet, novelist, editor and translator and one of the most influential writers of Chinese heritage in the Chinese diaspora. Since arriving in Australia in 1991, he has published over 100 books of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, literary translation and literary criticism in English and Chinese. For Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话, he will present his book installation. Featuring his early literary works alongside his self-made ‘destroyed works’ and a series of ‘rejected works’ which will be self-published in a limited edition of one (defying the literary status quo), Three Firsts 2020 explores the process of self-destruction, transformation and renewal at the heart of the creative process and the migratory experience.
PAINTER—
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
Painter 傅红 / Fu Hong arrived in Australia in 1990, having held his first solo exhibition at the National Art Gallery of China in 1988. Today he is known for his original synthesis of figurative painting with impressionist and expressionist leanings. He is the recipient of a long list of awards and accolades, most recently his shortlisting as a finalist for the 2021 Archibald Prize. For Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话, Fu will present a new series of work inspired by The Classic of Mountains and Seas / Shan Hai Jing, an extraordinary cultural account of pre Qin China which combines fabulous geographical information with Chinese mythology. Presented in conversation online with his monumental painting Re-birth 2019, the series continues the artist's search into the idea of the transformation in art and self.
Nini Li Xiaoming— For Fu's drawing, I selected a photograph of him and used his painting, Rebirth, as the background. His sentiment that 'it requires courage to totally say no to oneself' resonates with my ideas about creative breakthroughs. My earlier works were more of a cartoon style. It took me a while to muster up the courage to give it up and spend more time on exploring new ways of expression. Sold © Nini Li Xiaoming
you said you come from China
i did
but why you wrote in English
well it’s just a matter of preference i guess
—-‘Interview with Yu’ by Ouyang, republished in Silent Dialogue.
Nini Li Xiaoming —The bamboo steamers in Jenny’s installations remind me of my hometown in Guangdong province, China, where Yum Cha is also an important part of our culture. I love how Jenny investigates transcultural connection and belonging through food. Having the bamboo steamers in her portrait was a natural decision. Available © Nini Li Xiaoming
INSTALLATION ARTIST—
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
珍妮喆张 / Jenny Zhe Chang is a versatile multidisciplinary artist who creates sculptures, paper cuttings, paintings and installations that investigate the interaction between Eastern and Western ways of being. She has staged her though-provoking installations at venues throughout Australia as well as in Japan, Taiwan and China. For Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话, Chang extends upon her long-standing inquires into transcultural connection and belonging through the interlinking ideas of food, migration and family. She will present Yum Cha with Healing Seekers 2021, a site-specific installation at Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. The installation explores the concept of healing or nourishing tea recipes passed down through generations to support or nurture us during times of hardship while also honouring the legacy of compassionate healers who founded the QVWC site.
MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST —
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
Chinese-born 子轩 / Echo Cai is multidisciplinary artist and writer. Since arriving in Australia in 1989, she has exhibited widely and her works are represented in private and public collections in Australia and China. Today she is founder and curator of the Chinese Australian Contemporary Artists Network and Art Echo. Together with her artistic collaborators, writer Shen Zhimin / 沈志敏 and image-maker NiNi / 昵昵, for Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话 Echo Cai / 子轩 will present Retracing The Great Walk / 再现淘金路 2020. The artwork retraces the journey Chinese immigrant workers were forced to walk from Robe in South Australia to the Victorian goldfields during the gold rush due to discriminatory immigration policies.
Nini Li Xiaoming —Based on a photograph of these three creatives, I took one of Echo’s research artefacts for Retracing The Great Walk as the background for this work. I was surprised by the number of artists amongst the group who were of Asian heritage. It made me feel at home to know someone with a similar background as mine, working on their creative projects as part of a supportive community here. Available © Nini Li Xiaoming
The Chinese gold-seekers and their descendants have made a place for themselves in regional Australia and beyond. This presence is reflected in significant community sites which exist today in Robe, Ararat and Ballarat. Gardens and places of work, recreation, memorialisation and worship, tell a rich story of this period of resilient and resourceful peoples. By looking more holistically at the migration experience, in Retracing The Great Walk / 再现淘金路 2020, I wanted to retell a richer story that acknowledges not only exploitation but also strength, resiliency and love.
— Echo Cai / 子轩
Nini Li Xiaoming —Guan Wei uses a lot of juxtaposition in his work to explore identity, migration, and climate change. So, for his drawing, I combined an image of him working in the studio on the reimagining of his painting Plastic surgery – A portrait of an immigrant artist with features from his installation Feng Shui, 2004. Available © Nini Li Xiaoming
MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST —
BIO
Sydney
关伟 / Guan Wei is an internationally acclaimed contemporary artist whose work crosses cultural and political borders. A Chinese-born artist who migrated to Australia in 1989, his practice which spans more than 30 years, draws on his personal experience of both Chinese and Australian culture, as well as an informed socio-political awareness and knowledge of art history. For Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话, Guan will present a new video work The Metamorphosis / 变形记 2020. Presented in conversation online will also be his monumental self portrait Plastic surgery – A portrait of an immigrant artist 2015, the exhibit continues the artist’s search into the theme of self-identity and ideas of transformation, re-birth and belonging.
HISTORY PAINTER —
BIO
Sydney
Painter and cultural historian 沈嘉蔚 / Shen Jiawei was born in Shanghai. A farmer, soldier and propaganda artist during the 1960s-1970s in China, he later studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. He arrived in Australia in 1989, having first won the China National Art Exhibition Prize five times. He is a gifted history painter and portraitist of renown, with a long list of awards and accolades to this name. For Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话, Shen will present three of his distinctive history paintings, featuring three significant individuals in the history of Australia being: a prominent Yuin elder; an Australian journalist and adviser to the Chinese Government; and, a prominent Sydney merchant.
Nini Li Xiaoming —I have always wanted to understand more about Aboriginal culture. I didn't think much about its connection with Chinese culture until I learned of Shen's oil painting of Gubbo Ted Thomas - a prominent Yuin elder and activist who was also of Chinese heritage. I have pictured Gubbo Ted in the background (referencing Shen's painting) and Shen in the foreground as a way of capturing their connection. Sold © Nini Li Xiaoming
Nini Li Xiaoming —Pei Pei's paintings remind me of Pointillism. I used a picture of her photographing the cityscape that she loves to paint and drew the background imitating her painting style. It calls to mind her words describing the 'bustling, overwhelming city environment' in her artist statement for Silent Dialogue. Sold © Nini Li Xiaoming
PAINTER —
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
何佩佩 / He Pei Pei began training as an artist at the end of the Chinese Cultural Revolution in the late 1970s when she was able to take up an opportunity to study visual art in China. Arriving in Australia in 1987, she returned to her art education in 2005, graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts. She has since exhibited widely and been awarded and shortlisted for an array of prestigious art prizes and exhibitions - most recently, the Geelong Contemporary Art Prize. For Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话, He will present Intersection 《交叉路口》and Street Melody 2020 《街之韵律》, a new series of scroll drawings, large-format oil paintings and drawings on paper that continue the artist's search into the spirit of city life in Melbourne.
WRITER —
BIO
Sydney
Writer 許瑩玲 / Julie Koh studied politics and law at the University of Sydney, then quit a career in corporate law to pursue writing. A celebrated writer - with two award-winning short-story collections to her name - and sought after speaker, judge and creative collaborator, Koh’s publications, accolades and achievements are extensive. For Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话, Koh will be speaking at our weekend of events in October, expanding upon her glorious short story written for the project's book. Instead of Jack Reacher or John Wick, in her story ‘Julie Koh’, Julie fashions herself as modern-day superhero.
Nini Li Xiaoming —Julie’s short story is such a vivid one. I could almost see the images flashing out from the words in front of my eyes when reading it aloud in my flat. I picked some of the elements from the text and expressed them in visual form along with Julie’s portrait. Available © Nini Li Xiaoming
Nini Li Xiaoming —Ali’s drawing was a tricky one to master. I was amazed by how complicated her concepts could be and how they were presented with such beautiful simplicity in her works. I used some of her works from her Οι νεοί series to achieve a collage style, which often occurs in her art as she explores notions of visual perception. Sold © Nini Li Xiaoming
ARTIST —
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
Artist and educator Ali McCann is preoccupied with the possibilities of creating alternate visual and psychological realities through the mode of still-life. Drawing upon historical materials and objects used to teach the principles of mathematics, physics, art and textile design, McCann’s nostalgic imagery and the representations of memory intersect ambiguously, questioning the discovery of self, along with the perception of the larger societal role of teachers and their philosophies. For A Room with a View Part 1, McCann created Bohr 2020, which examines the creative impulse and the role of the home in shaping and nurturing our sense of self. For Part 2, she will be making a new work which extends upon her long-standing research into the photographic archive for presentation in 2021/22.
MUSICIAN —
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
Singer/songwriter 孙丽仪 / Emily Soon never fails to surprise any first-time listener. Inspired by travel, newfound independence and profound changes in life, Soon’s soothing, velvety voice, reminiscent of Tracy Chapman, Norah Jones or Bonnie Raitt, will leave you serenaded and mesmerised. Despite the pressures of COVID-19, in 2020, Soon reached new heights, with the release of her new single 'Love is The Loneliest Place' and a mix of upcoming shows, including an ambitious collaboration at the Melbourne Recital Centre with Invictus Quartet (21 July 2021) and a performance at our Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话 Symposia weekend at St Peter’s Eastern Hill Hall (6 November 2021).
Nini Li Xiaoming —I was speechless when I first heard Soon’s song Love Is the Loneliest Place. There is something sensitive and delicate that runs deep in her voice. I hope my drawing conveys that feeling by having her pictured within the beautiful surroundings of St Peter’s Eastern Hill Hall, where she will share her music in October/November for Silent Dialogue. Sold © Nini Li Xiaoming
Nini Li Xiaoming —Drawing Eddie’s portrait was the most difficult one for me. I developed quite a few versions and decided to use her recent AV installation Conversation Piece as the inspiration to show that her works bring together our experiences of sound, nature, and our social environment - they are all connected. Sold © Nini Li Xiaoming
ARTIST —
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
Edwina Stevens is an audiovisual artist working across composition, live performance and installation focusing on field recordings, synthesized sound, found acoustic elements/instruments and obsolete tech. Her ecologically centred work investigates the audiovisual processes of engaging with a sense of place - in a way that allows space for chance encounters. For A Room with a View Part 1, Stevens created Moonee Moonee Underpass 2020, which examines the extraordinary resilience of nature in the face of habit destruction - discovered through the sound of the Pobble-Bonk frog. For Part 2 of the project, she will be making a new work which extends upon her long-standing research into environmental engagement for presentation in 2021/22.
PHOTOGRAPHER —
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
Tim Hillier is a photographer working with still and moving imagery, in a vernacular and documentary style. For the last seven years, he has been working with First Nations communities throughout the country on youth empowering music projects, or in documentaries capturing dance, tradition, art and health. Last year, Hillier collaborated with us on this touching digital story for Thinking about Immortality & Kindness. For Silent Dialogue / 沉默的对话, Tim is working with us to present our digital conversations with the exhibiting artists and a record of our site-specific installations to extend the reach of our exhibits in a sensitive way that Tim brings to all of his projects.
Nini Li Xiaoming —Tim’s photographs have a very distinctive range of colours, and they often capture the landscape of Australia. I was inspired by a picture of Tim filming with Emma, Echo and Ouyang in Bundoora Park. To show his connection with nature, I drew trees and lines with the two colours – purple and blue, which frequently occur in his works, behind his portrait. Sold © Nini Li Xiaoming
Nini Li Xiaoming —Jo’s works are full of fine lines, delicate details and love, as well as stories. I was inspired by her work Untitled (star picker) 2020. Her original work has a mirror in the centre, but I replaced it with her portrait in my drawing. We’re all star pickers in our lives to find things that are beautiful and shining. Available © Nini Li Xiaoming
DRAWER—
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
Jo Lane is a ‘drawer’ first and foremost. She uses charcoal, graphite, coloured pencils, and any other material that is present-to-hand to explore social and psychological subjects. Combining defined mark-making with random effects, which the artist achieves through the use of water-based media, her composite works examine the idea of the self. They ask us to think about, as Lane says, “the emotional; the feeling between conscious and unconscious; the nature of thought; experience, strength and fragility”. We're currently working with Lane to present her contribution for A Room with a View Part 1 (opening newsletter accessible here). Over the coming months, we will work with Lane to understand her plans for Part 2 of the project, to be presented in 2021/22.
ILLUSTRATOR —
BIO
Birrarungga/ Melbourne
Nini Li Xiaoming is a freelance illustrator from Guangdong whose practice is influenced by Japanese Ukiyo-e and digital art. As an artist and secondary school teacher, passionate about the arts and education, she uses her illustration practice to explore relationships, feelings, and emotions that are part of everyday life. Her recent illustration project ‘International: Melbourne – A little book about the difference between being friendly and being friends’ by the Foundling Archive and the University of Melbourne is one example of her practice. Nini is our 2021 It Takes Two illustrator. We also hope to collaborate on another project on 2021/22.
Nini Li Xiaoming —For my drawing, I was inspired by a photograph of me taken by a friend. Still wearing my teaching outfit, standing in front of my drafts, and holding a fork with a piece of pear, I feel this captures pretty much the three things - work, art practice, and food - I’m busy with every day.
with
Nini Li Xiaoming (NLX) & Emma Thomson (ET) of correspondences
Note:— Please explore the three Q&A responses below via desktop. Captions are not visible via phone.
ET 1) Nini, how do you feel about the underlying philosophy of the annual It Takes Two exhibit? I.e. the aim of establishing a meaningful connection through the exchange of a drawing – while also supporting a local illustrator and hospitality partner?
NLX—When I think about 2020 now, all I can remember is working online and staying home most of the time. I didn’t meet many people outside of work until the It Takes Two launch, which brought art, music, café culture, and most importantly – people – together in such a warm and welcoming way after the interruption caused by the pandemic in Victoria. The event seemed somehow unreal after an extended lockdown, but it served its aim well. The idea behind the event is beautiful, especially during this post lockdown time when many of us are eager for a closer and more meaningful connection with each other. I love how the philosophy encompasses the whole project, from supporting a group of creatives and a local business to establishing a sense of community for everyone involved.
Speaking of a sense of community, I wasn’t strongly aware of this in the past few years. Those days were all about study, part-time, and surviving, until this year, my sixth year in Australia. March has witnessed a lot of tremendous changes in my life. I moved to a new place, living on my own for the first time. I started a new job at a new school. I met you, Emma and pondered how to express each creative on a piece of paper in my new studio. Everything was new. Trying to manage all these at the same time left me no time to observe my actual feelings until recently. I can feel that I am part of this now, I mean, part of the society here, where I am sincerely welcomed and cared for as a person, and I can embrace it wholeheartedly.
Personally, It Takes Two has another meaning for me too. And it is JAZZ! I couldn’t believe all elements I loved were in one project. Thank you for having me as part of this. PS -The cakes at Le Miel Et La Lune were also very delicious, by the way!
ET—2) It is such a wonderfully diverse group of creatives you have drawn, working across almost every imaginable medium! I always think making a portrait of someone is a daunting task. There is so much one wants to say! Would you tell us a little about how you went about making each work and what you were hoping to explore? Perhaps you could also talk a little about your influences which include Japanese Ukiyo-e and digital art?
NLX—2) A very diverse group indeed! The first step is always about knowing the person. I hadn’t met or seen or heard all of their works in person before. So, I could only try to understand them through their biography, interviews, visuals, audios, videos, and conversations with you. It was overwhelming to take in so much information at the start. However, as I adjusted, getting to know their lives, ideas, artworks, and so many different stories, was a very satisfying experience.
After gathering some impressions of each person, I trialled some sketches to see which was the best way to represent these wonderful people. Most of the sketches worked well, while some were abandoned when they didn’t turn out successfully. In the latter situation, I would have to dig into the reading resources again to look for new ideas (or take a shower or chat about it). Sometimes I wanted to cover so much in one piece, but I need to let go. It is all about achieving a harmonious balance.
This appreciation is something I have learnt in recent years from imitating Japanese Ukiyo-e or woodblock prints. In addition to better understanding balance, this has allowed me to refine my skills with a calligraphy brush which I love. My style has also been informed by my appreciation of traditional Chinese painting - where blank space leaves room for the viewer’s imagination.
ET—3) In addition to being an artist, you’re also an educator who works with young adults. I think this type of teaching work requires a particular type of person -someone adept at both listening and intuitively observing. I wonder how you feel your work as a teacher influences your creative practice?
NLX—3) It takes all my time from my creative practice. Haha!
Working as a teacher taught and is still teaching me so much every day. If I needed to choose one aspect that influences my art practice, I would say it is the courage I have acquired through teaching to acknowledge my own internal VOICE.
I wasn’t encouraged to express my feelings when I was a child. I was conditioned for quite a while and used to be very introverted. I was afraid of expressing myself openly in front of most people and didn’t believe that they would listen. I guess that is why I did a lot of writing during secondary schooling and began drawing seriously during university. They are safe ways for me to express myself. They are my exits.
As a teacher, I am exposed to a large amount of emotions, stories, and incidents (surprises as well!) every day. Kids are different here, compared with myself as a young person. Many of them are bold, challenging, and fearless in a way. The more I see and hear them express themselves freely, the more I want to do the same because I couldn’t in my childhood.
Teaching also demands that I need to be able to articulate my thoughts and feelings each day. It helps me to develop in my art practice but in a more visual way. In the early days of my art practice, I drew a lot of characters from daily life. Lately, I want to explore feelings, emotions, and relationships related to who I am.
If I am honest, teaching was the last thing I wanted to do three years ago. However, it now turns out that it is one of the best things for me. I feel very lucky to be a teacher here.
We warmly thank our co-exhibiting partner Le Miel et la lune for joining us to stage It Takes Two in their beautiful cafe. Helena and Jin, you are indeed one (two) of a kind! We also thank the lovely team at United Measures for helping us to offer a beautiful framing service for our patrons. Our most heartfelt thanks to all of our private patrons. Thank you for buying a drawing or coming along to our launch on the day - for purchasing coffee and cake, a tote bag or a book and for just generally being present to cheer us on. To those who bought a drawing, we can’t wait to get to know each one of you over the coming 12 months as one of our 'correspondents'! Last but certainly not least is our artist, Nini Li Xiaoming. Thank you for the love, dedication and talent you invested in our project.
Selina Lo - X2!
Ray Schlager
Lorraine & Ron Lane
Niamh Hussey
Alex Ellem
Carly Fischer
Melinda Soon
Jenny Zhe Chang
—6 more to announce!
