Through an exhibition, a public conversation and a dumpling workshop, To Master Your Mother Tongue explores the socio-political position of female Chinese Australians and the cultural identity of female Chinese immigrants.

The installation at Pavement Projects will displace the stereotypical representation of Chinese women in the context of Australian immigrant life. The notion of being Chinese is questioned in the workshop where participants will be asked to invent dumplings that reference their favourite family food. While at the public talk, Pia will present her unique Chinese identity by sharing her own stories and experiences. By placing female Chinese Australians at the fore, this project examines ‘multiculturalism’, which is so often used to describe contemporary Australian society. It sheds light on the diversity of Chinese cultural identity and Australian cultural identity, and the correlations between them. It also critiques the dominance of White voices in the feminist social movement; and the lack of female representation in the history of Chinese Australians in Victoria. This project seeks to create public avenues that elevate the voices of female Chinese Australians and immigrants.

EXHIBITION 
15 October – 15 November 2018 at Pavement Projects 

PUBLIC PROGRAMS  
Dumpling workshop and dinner
Otao Kitchen, 360 Victoria Street, Richmond
6pm - 8.30pm 
Friday 26 October, 2018 
$22.50 per person. Book here.

Public conversation between Siying Zhou and Pia Johnson 
Collingwood Library
11 Stanton St, Abbotsford  
7pm-8.15pm
Tuesday 23 October, 2018 
Register for free here.