Highlights
- A Sydney Chinatown ‘death-themed’ Lunar New Year artwork has angered members of the Chinese community.
- Local business operators say the installation creates a "funeral-like" atmosphere for the cultural precinct buckling under lockdowns and competition with nearby precincts.
- Chinese-Australian artist Susan Chen has defended her artwork, saying it’s “entirely appropriate”.
Whether you love it or hate it, the blue and white Lunar New Year decorations in Sydney’s Chinatown have received plenty of feedback and, one could say, publicity – desired or otherwise.
The installation has drawn anger from members of the local Chinese community, who say the colours used in the City of Sydney commissioned artwork are commonly used to mark ‘death’ and are worn during funerals, adding that the palette makes a mockery of businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emperor's Garden Restaurant’s chief financial officer Valentine Yee said he felt the council was celebrating the death of Sydney’s Chinatown.
He said his own business is operating 40 to 60 per cent below pre-pandemic levels and hopes of reviving activity in the area have now taken another hit.
He said walking out his restaurant on the pedestrian walkway felt “like a funeral” despite council’s efforts to liven up the area with Lunar New Year festivities.
Blue and white are somber colours in traditional Chinese culture. Source: Facebook
“When people step out of the restaurant and see all the lanterns, it [negatively] affects their moods,” he said.
Artist defends her choice of an ‘unexpected’ colour palette
Susan Chen, the Australian Chinese artist behind the artwork titled ‘Contained’, has defended her colour selection.
Traditionally, the colours used to mark the Lunar New Year are red and gold, which are meant to bring upon good fortune, happiness and prosperity.
But the colours used in Ms Chen’s artwork, which include lanterns, porcelain vase decals on the pavement and cloths wrapping tree trunks are gold, blue and white.
The latter two colours often symbolise death, illness and funerals in traditional Chinese culture.
The Sydney-based ceramicist declined a request for comment by SBS Chinese about the installation.
“The lanterns feature classic blue and white Chinoiserie designed with unique Australian and Chinese elements,” Ms Chen previously said in a Sydney city council press statement.
Of the porcelain vases, she explained: “Blue oxide on white is the classic, immediately recognisable and traditional surface decoration for Chinese porcelain.”
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Ms Chen said it was “disappointing” that members of the Chinese community were not able to see beyond the colour white as more than just the traditional colour of mourning in Chinese culture.
“As a contemporary visual artist whose work engages two cultures, it is very frustrating to be up against negativity and small-mindedness for a generation we hope to look to for guidance and support, to develop and create new traditions for future Asian Australians,” she said in the post.
A spokesperson for the City of Sydney told SBS Chinese that Ms Chen’s installation was selected through a strict screening process.
“It is a beautiful contemporary artwork inspired by the traditional blue and water vessels, representing the yin and yang of the Year of the Water Tiger,” the spokesperson said.
The council removed the decorative tree wraps on Lunar New Year’s Eve on Monday due to pressure from businesses and community members following complaints made after festival events on Saturday.
“For those who were able to see the tree wraps before they were unexpectedly removed, I hope you enjoyed them for what they are!” Ms Chen posted.
Community members to escalate matter to state and federal governments
Though the tree wraps are gone, the majority of Ms Chen’s work remains.
Monica Chu, vice president of the Australian Chinese Charity Foundation, told SBS Chinese she was “disappointed” by the artwork but did not go as far as calling for the rest of it to be removed.
To read this story in Chinese click here.
雪梨唐人街「喪禮色系」賀新年 設計師：保守華人思想狹隘
She has reported the matter in her own capacity to the NSW Multicultural Minister as well as the Department of Home Affairs.
“This incident shows that Chinese culture is not respected,” said Ms Chu who hopes that Lord Mayor Clover Moore will personally front up to the issue.
SBS Chinese contacted two Chinese City of Sydney councillors William Chan and Robert Kok, but they did not respond at the time of writing.
One Chinese netizen Steven Wang , “Sydney City Council’s blue and white lanterns mourns the decline of Sydney’s Chinatown”.
One Cantonese migrant who only wanted to be referred to “Mr P” said the blue floral cloths wrapped around the tree truck is commonly known as the “dead man’s blue”.
Mr P also complained that a held in the precinct and organised by the city council on Saturday reminded him of Chinese funeral custom.
He said even though the lions were red and yellow, its white-haired body made the lion appear white from a distance.
Mr P explained that white lion dances are held at funerals in Lichuan County, in the mainland Chinese province of Jiangxi.
“It’s not easy to look at,” he said.
City Council says they consulted widely
The council spokesperson added that they consulted with the community before installing the Dixon Street artwork.
The key stakeholders included the Haymarket Chamber of Commerce, Soul of Chinatown, local Chinatown and Haymarket businesses, the Chinese Consulate, Royal Thai Consulate, Korean Consulate, Korean Cultural Centre and the China Cultural Centre.
“We congratulate Susan on her wonderful artwork and thank all the local community members who have given their warm support for this art installation,” the spokesperson said.
Ms Chen’s family opened a restaurant in Chinatown when they first arrived in Australia as migrants in the late 1970s.
“Susan has a deep connection with the area … she drew on her own experiences as a Chinese-Australian growing up in Sydney when designing her artwork,” the council spokesperson said.
Although some members of the Chinese community have taken offence to the artwork, Ms Chen has also received support.
“I hope artists like you continue to bridge gaps and unite on progressive thinking and visions,” posted Kate McBean on Ms Chen’s Instagram post.
Another supporter, Robyn Chiles, said: “How are we to move forward if we say no to new narratives and new experiences.”
