[Exhibition Opening] Notations: Red Scale - Rainbow Chan

Date & Time

Tuesday 16 September 2025 4:30pm for 5:00pm start

Venue

Building EA, Parramatta South Campus, Western Sydney University

171 Victoria Road, Rydalmere

Opening Speaker

Dr Natalie Seiz (AGNSW)

Live Performace

Rainbow Chan

Music (guzheng)

Chenmeng Jiang (WSU)

Closing Remarks

Professor Saba Bebawi (WSU)

The Institute for Australian and Asian Arts and Culture (IAC) at Western Sydney University is proud to present the exhibition of the year, Notations: Red Scale 音譜：鱗動, by Rainbow Chan (陳雋然), a pioneering interdisciplinary artist whose innovative practice seamlessly integrates contemporary visual art, experimental pop music, and performance. Her work delves into themes of cultural representation, (mis)translation, matrilineal histories and diasporic heritage, drawing upon the endangered bridal laments of the Weitou people—Hong Kong’s first settlers and her matrilineal ancestors. These songs, traditionally performed by young women before their arranged marriages, are acts of protest and mourning in the face of change. The ritual begins with the song “Opening the Mouth”, which likens the sunrise to red fish scales cracking open the eastern sky. The exhibition features works of silk painting, calligraphy on xuan paper and sculptural wall works. They are visually stunning, emotionally evocative, and deeply creative.

Rainbow Chan is a highly accomplished visual artist, vocalist, and performer. She has performed and exhibited widely both in Australia and internationally, including Sydney Opera House, Carriageworks, Melbourne Music Week, Iceland Airwaves, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Tai Kwun Contemporary, M+ in Hong Kong, SXSW, 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Art Gallery of NSW, Cement Fondu, Blindside, Queensland University Art Museum, Australian National University, and I-Project Space in Beijing.

Rainbow Chan was named among the 2022 "40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian Australians" for her contributions to arts and culture. In 2024, was honoured with commissions to showcase her work at the Yokohama Triennale (Japan) and Primavera 2024: Young Australian Artists at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Her critically acclaimed one-woman performance The Bridal Lament has been presented at Liveworks, OzAsia, Arts House, and Riverside Theatres with Sydney Festival. Chan's interdisciplinary approach continues to position her as a leading figure in the Australian and international art scenes.

Rainbow Chan is a proud recipient of the IAC Chey Fellowship for this exhibition. The fellowship is to strengthen the artist’s practice and support the arts by fostering collaborations between the artist and IAC.