Sydney-based artist Mei Zhao is showcasing the forgotten Chinese history in the Riverina. Photo: Shri Gayathirie Rajen.
The compelling history of the early Chinese migration in the Riverina is one of the four exhibitions at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery as part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations.
The Wagga Art Gallery’s autumn exhibitions also include works by artists Lisa Sammut and Merric Boyd and 75 years of artistic practice by the Wagga Wagga Art Society.
Remapping Erased Landscapes by Sydney-based artist Mei Zhao explores the stories and traces of hidden Chinese history in the Riverina.
Mei received a grant from Creative NSW and spent two years on multiple field trips and residencies in the Riverina, researching the region’s Chinese market gardens.
“The Chinese history is everywhere, but you can’t see it,” Mei said. “It’s nowhere to be found in the Riverina.
“I had to look carefully, speak to people, and transform what I found into art.
“No one knows the Chinese market garden.”
The artist shared an anecdote about meeting a man who used to be involved in the Chinese market gardens who told her of his shame and how he spent his entire life trying to distance himself from his family name and heritage.
The former graphic designer never expected to have an exhibition, but she is honoured to have the opportunity to showcase her research into the Chinese migrants in the Riverina.
“My dream was to have the exhibition here (Wagga), so I worked very hard and finally got the opportunity to commission the exhibition,” Mei said.
Born and raised in China, Mei moved to Australia in 1994 and worked as a graphic designer for 17 years.
She quit her job and pursued an undergraduate degree in art at the National Art School in Sydney.
While she finds her new life as an artist “tough,” she loves every minute of it.
The gallery’s engagement officer, Astrid Reed, said 2025 was a special year for the gallery with its 50th anniversary.
“We’ve been busy installing four new exhibitions over the last few weeks,” said Ms Reed. “We have a pretty small team here, with very talented curators and installers.
“I always love it when we have a new slate of exhibitions opening up because the space we have here in Wagga is so magical. It can change from one period to the next.
“(The autumn exhibition) will be really exciting. There’ll be so much for the community to see, plenty of wonderful artwork, and new artwork for tourists coming through Wagga.”
Nuanced: 75 Years of the Wagga Wagga Art Society celebrates 75 years of a strong love of visual arts and community spirit in Wagga Wagga and showcases the unique talents and evolving skills of the society’s current members.
Fantastic Forms commemorates Merric Boyd’s legacy, pairing his ceramics and drawings from the Bundanon Collection with works by three contemporary artists: Nabilah Nordin, Stephen Benwell, and Bundjalung artist Rubyrose Bancroft.
“In Radial Sign, Lisa Sammut uses sculpture and installation to help us explore the ways cosmic forms and forces mirror the elusive dynamics, relations, and dimensions of our social worlds.”
Ms Reed said Wagga Art Gallery was also set to launch an exhibition titled 50 Years, 50 Treasures, which will feature works from the gallery’s collection.
“And this is the collection that we have at the art gallery. As part of the National Art Glass Collection, we have a lot of important Australian art glass and will also have incredible prints, paintings, and sculptures,” she said.
“It is going to be a big celebration.”
Nuanced: 75 Years of the Wagga Wagga Art Society
4 February – 27 April
Mei Zhao: Remapping Erased Landscapes
15 February – 25 May
Lisa Sammut: Radial Sign
15 February – 27 April
Fantastic Forms
14 February – 27 April
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