I’m always a bit conflicted when I post photos that I’ve taken at the White Rabbit Gallery.
On the one hand, I really want to encourage everyone in Sydney who has an interest in contemporary Chinese art to visit, and I don’t want my photos to gazump the magic of seeing an incredible piece for the first time. Additionally, many of the artworks are large and immersive, and it’s hard to do them justice in two dimensions. On the other hand, I know many of you don’t live in Sydney and will never get to see these amazing and unique pieces in person.
My compromise is to offer you a taster – a small snippet of what’s on offer over the three gallery floors. And it was hard to pare the photos down for this post, because Ritual Spirit is one of the most beautiful White Rabbit exhibitions ever.
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Farfur the Martyr (2008) by Peng Hung-Chih, a stainless steel creation juxtaposing different religious views on the meaning of martyrdom, stands in the entrance foyer…
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Defence (2014) by Xia Hang is a large stainless steel clockwork construction. Like all things steampunk, I found it hypnotically beautiful and instantly appealing…
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Mr Sea (2014) by Geng Xue combines video with exquisitely expressive porcelain puppets…
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Play 201301 (2013) by Xu Zhen is a tied and suspended cathedral created from leather and BDSM accessories. It fills an entire room…
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100 Years of Repose (2011) by Yu Hong poignantly depicts what the artist refers to as China’s “sleeping sickness”. The pressures of modern Chinese life are so great that people fall asleep anywhere they can – on trains, benches or even under parked trucks…
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Finally, a clip of the ethereally beautiful Scripting (2011) by Luxury Logico of Taiwan. Thirteen suspended fluorescent tubes move in time with John Cage’s haunting music. The artwork is massively enhanced by the clever curatorial decision to place it in a darkened room over a reflective black vinyl floor…
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Every piece comes with its own story, and I’ve included links in the post above so that you can read a bit more about the individual artists.
The White Rabbit Gallery is one of Sydney’s great treasures and I’d urge you to visit if you ever get the opportunity to do so. Focusing on works of contemporary Chinese art made in the 21st century, the gallery continues to share these with the public completely for free. Their exhibitions are always brilliantly curated, thought-provoking and often very poignant.
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White Rabbit Gallery
30 Balfour Street
Chippendale NSW 2008
RITUAL SPIRIT is open 10am to 5pm, Wed-Sun.
The exhibition runs until 28 January 2018
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful exhibition. Your post is doubly appreciated as I live a long way from Sydney and I doubt I will get the chance to see it in the flesh
You LIVE the most INTERESTING Life … I love your critiques on the Shows .. White Rabbit is certainly my favourite Gallery and I think Chinese Contemporary Art leads the World in its Creative endeavours and New Horizons .. my dream is to go to Shaghai to see all the Galleries there ( and eat the food !!) A nice way to sit in my sunny backyard surrounded by fallen magnificent Jacaranda Lilac Blossoms after the wonderful rain and winds … I’m in Heaven … Happy Sunday , Celia 😘
Celia – Please keep on posting photos from your visits to the White Rabbit Gallery . . . or, for that matter any of the galleries you visit. You have given us a taste of WR exhibits before but methinks this is the most powerful one I have seen thru’ your eyes . . and the most varied. As this particular showing will be on until end of January, I shall make certain that this time I shall make it to Sydney . . . well, first the Gallery and then a shopping list in hand for all the food shops you have passed on! Quite a day for mind and body :) !
I am not likely to see these in Sydney so I’m happy you share.
Not likely to see them either so am happy to see these. Thanks.
celia
Thank you for your posting. I can visit White Rabbit Gallery, as I live in the inner west but without your beautiful photos we would never have known to seek out these amazing showings!!
I understand why you liked Xia Hang with your magnificent clock jewellery. xx
Must get up there one day. That art looks very appealing. Thanks for including these small previews Celia.
Fascinating stuff Celia. I really would like to shoe horn that into my schedule on a visit to Sydney 😃
Great art thanks!from Canada
I live in Texas and it’s likely I will never see this wonderful art so thanks for sharing.