Dr Christian Thompson AO is a Bidjara/Chinese-Australian contemporary artist whose work explores identity and history. Formally trained as a sculptor, Thompson’s practice spans photography, video, sculpture, performance and sound. Burdi Burdi (Fire Fire), 2021, is from Thompson’s series New Gold Mountain, which explores his first-generation southern-Chinese gold-rush heritage. Underpinned by his idea that to sing even one word of his Bidjara language means it cannot be described as extinct, Thompson uses the art context as a site to archive and present the practice of spoken language within the broader culture, occupying a rare and powerful space. Acquired by the NGV for Melbourne Now, the four-channel sound installation concerns the threat to, and loss of, First Nations languages. Visitors to the vibrant red room on the second level of the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia become immersed in the sounds of Thompson singing in his father’s native Bidjara language, now officially classified as severely endangered.

Underscoring his singing is a combination of synth-heavy instrumentation, breath and spoken word. As well as exploring Thompson’s experiences of the Bidjara language, Burdi Burdi (Fire Fire) is a tender, personal case for the revitalisation of First Nations languages, bringing forward 60,000 years of narrative and experiences embedded in the lilting textures and rhythms of Thompson’s voice and the language of what Thompson describes as ‘pre-invasion Australia’.

Thompson’s work has been exhibited all over the world across his more than two-decade career. In 2010 he made history as the first Aboriginal Australian to be admitted to Oxford University. A research affiliate at the Pitt Rivers Museum, Thompson holds a PhD (Fine Art) from Trinity College, University of Oxford, as well as degrees in theatre, sculpture and fine art. His work is held in major collections including the Museum of Contemporary Art and Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney; National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; National Gallery of Victoria; Queensland Art Gallery and the University of Queensland Art Museum, Brisbane; and the Aboriginal Art Museum, Utrecht. A major survey exhibition of Thompson’s work, Christian Thompson: Ritual Intimacy toured nationally between 2017 and 2019. In 2018 Thompson was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his service to the visual arts.

4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art undertook a research and development initiative in collaboration with Aboriginal Australian-Chinese artist Dr. Christian Thompson AO.  Building upon the foundation of his prior artistic works, notably New Gold Mountain (2021), the House of Gold research and development project aimed to unravel the enduring legacy of the Chinese diaspora in Australia, tracing its origins from the era of the 1850s Gold Rush to its present-day manifestations.

Central to this research initiative is Dr. Thompson’s investigation into the experiences of the first generation of Chinese miners hailing from the Guangdong region who ventured to Australia during the Gold Rush period. Beyond merely documenting historical events, Dr. Thompson examined the intricate interplay between the Chinese migrants’ aspirations and the pervasive impact of the discriminatory White Australia Policy (1901 – 1973) on their lives. This exploration sheds light on the challenges, resilience, and cultural tenacity that characterised this community throughout a period marred by systemic racism.

The outcomes of House of Gold were then showcased at 4A (20 April – 2 June 2024), situated in a heritage-listed building in Chinatown amid rapid urban developments. This presentation connected strongly with preserving Chinatown’s heritage and the history of early Chinese migration. The work not only honours the struggles and contributions of the Chinese diaspora but also intersects with the crucial task of protecting Aboriginal identity from erasure. Chinatown and Indigenous cultures are interwoven into Australia’s national identity, sharing histories marred by injustices and suppression. Just as Aboriginal communities faced historical injustices, Chinese immigrants encountered discrimination and marginalisation. These efforts rejuvenate a cultural hub, highlighting the significance of embracing diversity for a united, harmonious future.