Description:

Chinese immigration to New Zealand has long been shaped by a history of discrimination, from both a social and political context. Beginning in the 1860s, racially motivated legislation such as the poll tax and the Alien Registration Act fostered widespread prejudice, contributing to a sense of cultural disconnection and invisibility for many Chinese New Zealanders. These systemic barriers have left generations feeling uncertain about their place in Aotearoa.

Due to these challenges, the struggles and history of the Chinese community often remain unacknowledged. Traditional Chinese culture is very private, which, combined with a broader societal expectation to “keep your head down”, has led many to keep their experiences hidden.

Therefore, education and storytelling play a vital role in addressing this history, targeted towards both Chinese New Zealanders as well as our larger population. Building inclusive communities starts with uplifting and empowering, and a shared understanding of where we come from.

Given this challenge and these considerations, this project explores how intimate stories can be told beyond screens, utilising installation work to facilitate shared experiences. Centring around my Por-Por (grandmother) Siu-Moy Lim, who immigrated from China to New Zealand in 1956, the installation displays a series of animations projected onto a dim sum table. A public installation was the ideal medium because of its ability to engage those who may not actively seek out these narratives. By occupying a shared space, it brings forward often-overlooked stories and helps reframe public understanding of Chinese identity in New Zealand.

Design decisions, such as dim sum, being a traditional form of dining in Chinese culture, serve as a key component. The concept of shared experiences through dining serves as a way to bridge the Chinese and Western cultural gap, engaging a multitude of audiences. Animations are projected onto the central lazy susan, which is accompanied by coinciding animations on the surrounding plates, transforming what could be a solitary experience into a collective and participatory one. This also symbolically replaces the consumption of food with the consumption of knowledge.

Within Siu-Moy’s narrative, broader themes of migration, resilience, and strength are explored, resonating with both a Chinese and wider New Zealand audience, introducing a cross-cultural dialogue. The animated imagery is designed from Siu-Moy’s historical immigration documentation, while audio from interviews with her relatives is played throughout, adding depth and authenticity, whilst enhancing the immersive atmosphere.

Ultimately, this work offers a new model for storytelling; one that is personal, participatory, and culturally grounded. The dim sum table becomes a vessel for conversation and connection, allowing for personal stories to be shared in an intimate and touching way. This results in uplifting and empowering Chinese New Zealanders by improving their sense of belonging in Aotearoa.

Looking ahead, there is potential to scale this installation and enable broader change by engaging with a greater Chinese community and sharing more stories. This method of engaging with our wider community could create a space for a more culturally knowledgeable, accepting, and inclusive New Zealand.