Voices of Tomorrow: Meet the Asian-Australian creators reimagining the future
In 2024, we welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon - a symbol of creativity, curiosity and a renewed sense of purpose for long-term success. This year, while we spread prosperity and well wishes, we’re shining a light on those in the Asian-Australian community using their creativity and the power of technology to preserve culture, find beauty in nuance and reimagine for a vibrant future.
“For these (Asian-Australian) creators, being creative is in their blood, it is in their genes. It’s something they want to pursue, they want to do and they don’t want to do anything else”
Simon Chan, Director at Art Atrium & SCA Architects
If you’ve ever encountered a creative individual, you’ll likely observe that their demeanour will often fall into one of two categories - modest or extravagant. However, this exciting generation of Asian-Australian creators are asking, “why can’t we be both?”. What makes this cohort so particularly compelling, is their ability to seamlessly blend a humble character, cultivated from their Asian heritage, with innovative ideas that can speak for themselves, without the need for any exaggerated exclamation points.
“We are a generation that has grown up in Australia, not where Lunar New Year traditions can be passed down from generation to generation. It’s inevitable for us (Asian-Australian creators) to have new ideas on these traditions”.
Domus Vim, Fabricator/Designer
To kick off the Year of the Wood Dragon, we invited a group of talented Asian-Australian creators - who may not have otherwise crossed paths before - for lunch at Sydney’s Chinese Garden of Friendship to connect and share their creative insights.
These creators offer a unique perspective evolved from their upbringing within the Asian-Australian community. Their experiences, rich in complexity and cultural significance, serve as inspiration in their artistic endeavours, particularly during Lunar New Year, when they are reminded of their heritage and draw upon that for reimagined authenticity.
Think back to all the lunches you’ve ever been to. While there is no scientific evidence to support this idea, if we find it easier to remember the details of the dishes served at lunch than the conversations we had, it might indicate that the overall experience was not very engaging.
Fortunately, such could not be said for this endeavour with discussions taking centre stage as this impressive group seized this opportunity to delve into topics close to their hearts, such as preserving heritage by reshaping its relevance in a modern world, reimagining the future through technological innovation, and defying traditional career expectations in pursuit of creativity.
“There is now a certain X factor that comes from being an Asian-Australian creator. It’s a really good time to be part of this, agents in a creative collective with so many stories”
Chris Yee, Artist/Illustrator
During the lunch, a spirited discussion on moving creativity forward by blending cultural traditions with innovative elements filled the room. Technology emerged as a vital tool, empowering these creators to weave their cultural backgrounds with their personal brand of storytelling. To help celebrate the Year of the Wood Dragon, artist and illustrator Chris Yee showcased his talent and reimagined the red envelope as a gift to be shared with the other creators. Using Adobe Photoshop to infuse heritage with his own contemporary twist, Chris masterfully breathed new life and distinct creative flair into this traditional offering.
In collaboration with Chris Yee, fabricator and designer Domus Vim used Adobe Photoshop to craft large shiny gold coins that were enclosed within the reimagined red packets, symbolising good luck. While it wasn’t luck that brought these creators together, the stories they shared demonstrate that success in the community comes through evolution and the power of storytelling.
Just a stone's throw away from the Chinese Garden of Friendship is the bustling Chinatown, nestled in the heart of Sydney. Chinatown holds a special place for these Asian-Australian creators in their own story of self-discovery, finding that sense of community from the different worlds merging together into one cultural space.
The stories that are forever etched into the DNA of Chinatown have been reimagined through Elaine Li’s distinctive photography. The unique shaped architecture, the flow of people walking through Dixon Street and the jewelry shops that have occupied there for twenty-years, have all been preserved into the modern day, as Elaine generates a new - but familiar - environment that builds upon the past using Adobe Firefly.
The growing enthusiasm for digital art among these Asian-Australian creatives serves as a unifying force and playground to explore, despite it not aligning with traditional cultural norms. Through technology, it provides a medium to express and celebrate their heritage, infusing their creative projects with unique stories that evolve and resonate.
While the future may still be unwritten, what is clear is that this generation of creators will play a significant role in shaping it. Their respect for the past is evident through their work, brought to life through their preferred Adobe tools.
We’re living in an exciting era. A time where our cultural perspectives and insights collide with technology to inspire creativity at new speeds. And by reflecting and championing our own heritage, it allows us to uncover new ways to see and reimagine the world around us.
Check out some of the amazing creators who attended this event: Chris Yee, Domus Vim, Elaine Li, Injury, Andrew Yee, Joy Li, Chloe Leong, Ash Lim.