Trepang

China & the Story of Macassan - Aboriginal Trade

Until 16 Oct 2011

Portrait of John Bulunbulun, 2007
Acrylic and ochre on canvas
John Bulunbulun & Zhou Xiaoping

This exhibition tells the story of the ancient trade in sea cucumbers (trepang).

Trepang explores the long history of cultural exchange and trade between the Chinese, Macassan and northern Australian Aboriginal people.

Combining historical artefacts, paintings, maps and photographs with new works to tell the story of the Aboriginal and Asian contact around the trepang (sea cucumber) trade from the early 18th Century to the early 20th Century.

Trepang is founded on a 20-year friendship between classically-trained Chinese artist Zhou Xiaoping and highly respected Indigenous Australian artist John Bulunbulun.

Featuring contemporary works including cross-cultural collaborations of traditional Chinese and Australian designs.

Trepang forms part of The Year of Chinese Culture in Australia 2011 - 2012.

Proudly presented by Rio Tinto, the Gordon Darling Foundation, the Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, The University of Melbourne, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and Museum Victoria.