This is us: pandemic storytelling, remembering and archiving by older Asian migrants in Victoria

Monday 20 Mar 2023 Friday 31 Mar 2023

'This is us: pandemic storytelling, remembering and archiving by older Asian migrants in Victoria' was a photography exhibition will held at the Digital Studio between 20-31 March 2023. The exhibition showcased the diverse talents, emotions and perspectives of older Asian migrants living in Victoria throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It was open to the University’s staff, students, and the general public. For more information please visit https://cocreating-covidsafe.com.au/exhibition and contact Dr Wilfred Wang (Wilfred.wang@unimelb.edu.au) for inquiries.

This is us: pandemic storytelling, remembering and archiving by older Asian migrants in Victoria

Exhibition Launch

22nd March 2023

The This is us: pandemic storytelling, remembering and archiving by older Asian migrants in Victoria photography exhibition launch began with a bang on the mild Wednesday afternoon with an enthralling panel discussion from a diversity of speakers. Mr Matthew Guy, from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Ms Angela Ng, from MiCare Aged Care & Community Services, Dr Surjeet Dogra Dhanji from the Australia India Institute, University of Melbourne, Lela Zhou, JP, from Aus Channel Media, and the panel discussions moderator, Dr Shashini Gamage, from the School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne brought to the panel many different perspectives from their respective disciplines to discuss messaging to and communication with aging, culturally and linguistically diverse Australians.

After this, the action moved upstairs to the 3rd floor where the framed photographs and digital videos and virtual gallery resided, and the exhibition curator and principal project lead of the Moving Beyond the Pandemic project Wilfred Wang gave thanks to attendees, photographers, and organisers. Then Professor of Art History and Curatorship in the School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne, Claire Roberts officially launched the event with a speech. Hot canapes were served and a large crowd of attendees mingled and enjoyed the wonderful photography entries.

The winner of the first category, Moments in phone: memories, stories, and impressions during COVID-19, was Shirley Jeremic with the photograph titled "Memories and stories during the Covid-19." The winner of the second category, Spring after lockdown: changes and persistence of living with COVID-19, was Mau Pak So with the photograph titled "Life is as short as a dewdrop." The Digital Studio sends its congratulations to the winners and all competition entrants and their families and communities. To see this wonderful gallery online, you can visit the virtual gallery and or take a look through the photo booklet.

The Digital Studio would also like to give huge thanks to the curators, Wilfred Yang Wang and Titania Yuhan Huang for deciding to use the Digital Studio space and bring it alive with this stunning exhibition, to Tianyi Yang for flyers design and curatorial support, and Lucia Chen for photo collection and coordination. The project Moving Beyond the Pandemic: Engaging Asian Migrant Communities with COVIDSafe Content is a wonderful initiative and we highly recommend you look at their website to find out more about the project and the incredible people behind it.

The exhibition ran 20th - 31st of March, 2023 in the Digital Studio, Level 3 and 2, West Wing, Arts West, University of Melbourne, Parkville.