“Yin Yang is arguably the best known of Chinese philosophical concepts. Defined as ‘a mutual concept in perception to create a unity of opposites’ that is how I see the National Trust exhibition ‘Yin Yang: China in Australia’ at the S. H. Ervin Gallery.” John Yu in Yin Yang: China in Australia – catalogue published by S. H. Ervin Gallery, National Trust of Australia NSW.
For co-curator Zeny Edwards, the catalyst for this exhibition was William Hardyn Wilson – architect, artist and author – whose ouvre was used as a starting point from which an exhibition was created, aiming to explore cross cultural interaction between China and Australia both through history and in a continuing dynamic synergy. Co-curated by Dr. Zeny Edwards & Joanna Capon, the exhibition featured the works of both renowned and contemporary artists, Ian Fairweather, Margaret Preston, Thea Proctor, Mortimer Menpes, William Hardy Wilson, Florence Broadhurst, Tim Johnson, Jiawei Shen, Ah Xian, William Yang, Lindy Lee, Guan Wei and Narelle Jubelin.
A full colour catalogue was released in association with the exhibition, and featured essays from John Yu AC, Zeny Edwards, Joanna Capon, Helen O’Niell, Jane Watters and Kylie Kwong.
Main image: IAN FAIRWEATHER Chinese mountain (1933) Art Gallery of New South Wales