Image: Emil Goh, ‘Remake (Ring),’ 2004. DVD video, 1’56”, installation view.

Phase One: 10 March – 10 April, 2005

Artists: Dadang Christanto, Selina Ou, Vienna Parreno, Koky Saly

Phase Two: 14 April – 28 May, 2005

Artists: Emil Goh, George Poonkhin Khut + John Tonkin, Melissa Ramos, Phaptawan Suwannakudt, My Le Thi, Suzann Victor

A one-day symposium was held on 9 April.

Open Letter celebrated ten years of Australian involvement in ASEAN. Developed in conjunction with Asialink, the exhibition travelled to 9 ASEAN countries with the aim of highlighting the ASEAN group’s cultural connections with Australia. The artists involved are all Asian-Australians with ethnic origins in ASEAN member countries, representing many variations on themes of migration. Some explored their artist journeys, while others presented the conflicts, challenges and successes that form part of their experience of displacement, exile and diaspora. The exhibition also provided opportunities for the artists to report back to their cultures of origin about their artistic journeys.

International Tour:

Bangkok: 5 August – 30 September, National Gallery

Manila: 5 October – 5 November, Metropolitan Museum

Kuala Lumpur: 14 February – 16 April 2006, National Art Gallery