Our story: aboriginal–chinese people in Australia is a compelling exhibition that reveals a rich and often overlooked facet of Australian history — the enduring connections between Aboriginal and Chinese communities since the colonial period. These relationships, which began during the gold rush era of the 19th century, have left an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of the nation. In a landscape often dominated by Eurocentric narratives, this exhibition offers an important counterpoint, highlighting the depth and diversity of cross-cultural interaction on this continent.

The exhibition explores powerful themes of identity, survival, resilience and cultural continuity. It considers how Aboriginal and Chinese Australians supported one another in the face of discrimination, displacement and marginalisation, and how shared experiences of exclusion sometimes fostered deep bonds. From intermarriage and kinship ties to shared work in agricultural, goldmining and trade communities, the stories told here reflect both the hardships and the strength of these intersecting histories. Many descendants of these unions continue to shape Australia’s cultural landscape today, maintaining connections to both ancestral lines while forging new pathways of identity and belonging.

Curated by Chinese-Australian artist and researcher Zhou Xiaoping, the exhibition draws on a wide range of sources, including historical photographs, archival records, family documents and oral histories passed down through generations. These materials are brought together with contemporary artistic responses to offer a multi-layered narrative that spans centuries. Through this project, Zhou seeks not only to shed light on previously silenced or forgotten stories but also to invite a broader reckoning with Australia’s multicultural past. Our Story is both a tribute to those who came before and a call to expand our understanding of what it means to be Australian.