MEDIA RELEASE
AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY, BEIJING
6 April 2009
Chinese Australian Artists Donate $250,000 worth of Artwork
for Victorian Bushfire Appeal - to be Auctioned in Beijing!
The Sydney Olympic Park Authority is proud to present 'Coming Home' the largest exhibition of Chinese
Australian contemporary art ever to be held in the People’s Republic of China.
Following on from 2008’s successful ‘From Mao to Now’ exhibition, this project is part of a broader program of
cultural exchange between host cities of the Olympic Games initiated by Sydney Olympic Park. Managed and
curated by Catherine Croll, Coming Home opens at the new Linda Gallery, 798 Beijing from 9-24 May.
Coming Home will feature the work of 35 Chinese Australians, including:
 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation artists, William Yang, Greg Leong, Lindy Lee, Laurens Tan, Pamela See
 Those who have established international reputations such as Guan Wei, Shen Shaomin, Shen Jiawei,
Xiao Lu, John Young, Lin Chunyan, Wang Zhiyuan, Jin Sha, Tan Yifang
 Those with national reputations (earned though their regular representation in our major arts
competitions) such as Xu Wang, Song Ling, Zhong Chen, Guo Jian, Yi Wang, Fu Hong and
 A number of exciting young new and emerging artists such as Meng-Shu You, Muzi Li
The Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, Dr Geoff Raby, has recognized the Coming
Home exhibition as a major cultural event, and will officially open the exhibition and host a reception for the
artists and their families at the Australian Embassy in Beijing:
“Coming Home provides an excellent example of the mutual influences of Australian and Chinese
cultures on artists from both countries, and provides a valuable opportunity for dialogue and exchange
between Chinese and Australian artists. It also promotes understanding of the diversity and innovation
of Australian contemporary culture in China” Dr Geoff Raby
During the course of the preparations a number of participating artists suggested they would like to donate
artwork to raise funds for the victims of the Victorian Bushfires. Twenty nine of our artists have now donated
work valued at over $250,000 for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal auction to be held in conjunction with the
official opening of the ‘Coming Home’ exhibition on May 9th
“While we are travelling to our homeland to take part in the ‘Coming Home’ exhibition, we are
thinking of our Australian country men and women and would like to donate our favorite artwork to
raise funds to help them through this terrible time” Zhong Deng – Goulburn NSW
I have attached a copy of the Coming Home Exhibition and Victorian Bush Fire Appeal Briefing Paper
Catherine Croll +86 15101575037 katecroll@gmail.com www.CatherineCroll.com
Coming Home Exhibition – Special Events
Five Special Events have been arranged to coincide with the 'Coming Home' Exhibition:
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Friday May 8th (5pm - 9pm)
A Reception at the Australian Embassy for the Coming Home Artists
Saturday May 9th (3pm - 5pm)
The Official Opening of the 'Coming Home' Exhibition
Saturday May 9th (5pm - 6pm)
The Auction of Artwork for the Bushfire Victims in Victoria
Wednesday May 13th (6pm - 8pm)
A Private Viewing for the Corporate Sector (Australian and Chinese - BHP, Qantas, SinoGold etc)
Friday May 15th (6pm - 8pm)
A Private Viewing and Cocktail Party for Foreign Diplomats and Senior Staff
Major Sponsors
Linda Gallery
CONTEMPORARY ART
JAKARTA - SINGAPORE - BEIJING SHANGHAI
Logistics Sponsors
Reception and Special Events Sponsors
International Artist in Residence
Program
“Supported by the Australian Government through the
Australia International Cultural Council, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.”