hlit1996-blog

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Nestled down an unassuming laneway in China Town, In Between Two Worlds an impressive art installment by Jason Wing can be found. The work was commissioned by the City of Sydney in 2013 as part of a $5 million initiative to revamp 3 disused laneways with the transformation taking Wing a total of 13 months (Fulton, 2012). By day you would be forgiven to walk by this laneway without realising what lies here, but by night the blue glow of the suspended spirits creating a dream-like atmosphere grabs the attention of every passer-by.

Channeling his dual Cantonese-Biripiri heritage, the art includes references to both Chinese and Aboriginal motifs; clouds on the floor represent the heavens and also a never ending fortune whilst 30 part human spirits represent past, present and future ancestors(O-Riordan, 2009; City Art Sydney, 2013). The clouds and spirits work together as both are present on heaven and Earth, and the spirit figures represent our journey between heaven and earth. Wing intended for the laneway to take all visitors on a spiritual journey – as we look down we see the clouds on earth, and as we look up we see the spirits in heaven, representing how in life we are currently walking in the middle of both. By incorporating some of the oldest known Aboriginal art forms such as traditional stencilling techniques, Wing has held onto and strengthened modern connections to the past, showing art is just as relevant today in the cultural expression and wellbeing of Aboriginal Australians as it always has been.

Through his artworks Wing aims to create social justice for Aboriginal people, questioning Colonial narratives of modern Australian history and educating people on the current and past issues faced (Marlow, 2016). Aboriginal artworks being present on city streets seen by thousands of people every day creates a sense of empowerment for Aboriginal people and allows them to freely express their cultural identity. For Indigenous visitors to the lane, seeing something created by one of their own people, expressing their own culture is something to be proud of and contributes to their cultural wellbeing. Wing has reclaimed the land back for the traditional land owners, however also acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of other communities to the land, showing an appreciation for all and isolation for none (City Art Sydney, 2013). Wings art reflects how cultures can live in harmony together, upholding their own beliefs and integrities whilst still honouring another cultures.

Being a non-indigenous visitor to this site of Aboriginal artwork, I still felt a connection and sense of inclusion as themes such as that of heaven and earth and ancestry that are universal to many cultures including my own were used. One of Wing’s aims as an artist is to raise awareness and educate on Aboriginal Australia, and the location and themes used in In Between Two Worlds reflect how many Australians today are striving for a sense of oneness, equality and inclusion for all.

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References

City Art Sydney (2013) In Between Two Worlds. [Online]. Available from: http://www.cityartsydney.com.au/artwork/in-between-two-worlds/ [Accessed 05/14 2017].

Fulton, A. (2012) Smelly lane gives way to serene cloud street. [Online]. Available from: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/smelly-lane-gives-way-to-serene-cloud-street-20120120-1qa7k.html [Accessed 05/14 2017].

Marlow, K. (2016) Jason Wing: challenging audiences with contemporary cross-cultural art. [Online]. Available from: http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2016/06/09/jason-wing-challenging-audiences-contemporary-cross-cultural-art [Accessed 05/14 2017].

O'Riordan, M. (2011) Biography. [Online]. Available from: https://www.daao.org.au/bio/jason-wing/biography/ [Accessed 05/14 2017].

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Clouds are painted onto the ground guiding the journey down Kimber Lane

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Illuminated spirit figures create a blue haze as you look upwards, representing past, present and future ancestors

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Clouds are a traditional Chinese and Aboriginal motif representing the Heavens and never ending fortune

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Dreamlike clouds line the walls and floor with illuminated spirit figures hanging from above

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''I want to encourage people to look both down and up, representing heaven and earth, and we're walking in the middle'' - Jason Wing