薛美龄 IMAGE ARCHIVE

FROM DALRYMPLE TO TIANANMEN


From Dalrymple to Tiananmen references the concurrent efforts of the Australian government to increase coal exports and Chinese government to reduce their dependency on its import.

In the title ‘Dalrymple’ is a geographic reference to one of the largest coal ports in Australia. In Gaelic it translates into ‘the field of the crooked stream’. ‘Tiananmen’ literally translates in English to ‘Heaven’s Gate’. In this series, sculptures from around Tiananmen Square have been depicted shrouded in cloud. The motifs have a duplicity of meaning. The more obtuse of the interpretations refers to the high level of pollutants in the air.

During winter in Beijing, temperatures can drop to -10 degrees Celsius. People of a lower social economic strata still reply on coal heaters to survive. A lot of the coal being traded in the village streets originates from Australia.

Title Image: This papercut appropriates an awning from the Forbidden City.

 

 

These cutouts are of Central Queensland miners.

 

 

These cutouts appropriate a building from the Forbidden City.

 

 

These cutouts depict tourists at Tiananmen Square.

sample