The exhibition of Gennifer Hirano was a visual documentation of different Asian-Australians who emigrated to or were born in Australia and their experiences with culture, assimilation, representation, sexuality and other identity “crisis” issues. A wide variety of people from different occupations, nationalities and age groups were chosen to be a part of this exhibition in an attempt to dismantle the opinion that “all Asians are alike.” The work is very much about stereotypes and impressions. It is under the the theme that negative and positive are one of the few concepts that are simultaneously universal and subjective. The performance work “Identity Crisis” examined the journey from self-denial to self hatred to self discovery which many minorities in white Anglo countries like the U.S. and Australia have embarked upon to some degree. A gang member, a Japanese-Australian art student, a Vietnamese refugee, a lesbian political activist, a TV presenter on Fox Channel, two G.P.s, the beautiful child of two Asian mothers all in the same room? Under the same category? The work is about a group of people, their trials and talents that run much deeper and more captivating than any discussion about Pauline Hanson.

Members of the Asian and non Asian communities were invited to attend this aesthetic informative presentation in hopes that they may come away with a “Re-Orientated” Presentational of what Asian-Australia is.

Invitation

Media Release