A Round Square Banquet
圓.⽅.盛.宴.

25 JAN-9 FEB 2025

Australia China Art Foundation has partnered with MAPh and Arts @ Collins to present a major exhibition in Melbourne's CBD during the international photography festival, PHOTO 2024.

PART I: A Round Square Banquet
OPEN: 10AM- 4PM FREE ENTRY for ACAF & MCBA subscribers
WHERE: Chinese Museum, 22 Cohen Pl, Melbourne</p>

For more info visit chinesemuseum.com.au

PART II: Unravelling Ecologies
Flowers Vasette, 247 Brunswick St, Fitzroy (Upstairs)

Browse Catalogue

A Round Square Banquet:
a visual feast exploring identity and inclusion

A Round Square Banquet is an immersive visual exploration of identity and inclusion, inviting audiences to engage with the profound symbolic meanings of the circle and square through active dialogue and participation. Across cultures, the circle often signifies unity, harmony, and inclusiveness, while the square embodies order, stability, and tradition. In Chinese culture, these forms carry rich cosmic and philosophical significance, symbolizing the balance between heaven and earth, the infinite and the structured, the dynamic and the rooted.

The exhibition’s title, A Round Square Banquet, evokes a metaphorical gathering of opposites—a shared space where diverse perspectives converge. Like the banquet table, the exhibition becomes a setting for dialogue, where individuality is celebrated alongside collective appreciation. By amplifying the voices of artists from a range of backgrounds, the exhibition highlights the importance of diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility in the contemporary world.

Through its artworks, A Round Square Banquet skillfully merges the essence of tradition with the dynamism of modernity. It creates a dialogue between cultural heritage and contemporary practice, juxtaposing structured and organic aesthetics. The exhibition offers a nuanced approach to identity, inviting visitors to step into a liminal space where contrasts are reconciled, and differences are embraced.

The exhibition invites visitors to imagine themselves as honored guests at a metaphorical banquet, where each artwork serves as a carefully crafted “dish” to be savored. This sensory journey transcends the visual, encouraging audiences to engage with the textures, layers, and contrasts of each piece. Every “dish” is an opportunity to reflect on the interplay of coexistence, contrasting ideas, and the richness of diverse cultural narratives.

Beyond its visual appeal, A Round Square Banquet is a powerful catalyst for reflection and dialogue. It examines themes of harmony and conflict, urging audiences to consider how communities can coexist despite differences. By celebrating diversity, it fosters empathy and understanding, encouraging us to look beyond binaries and embrace the complexity of our interconnected world.

At its heart, the exhibition is a reminder to value the contributions of diverse communities and nurture a sense of belonging for all. It is a call to action, urging us to appreciate the cultural tapestries that enrich our societies while championing the ideals of inclusiveness and unity.

Through art, A Round Square Banquet transcends boundaries, weaving together a narrative that celebrates shared humanity and the beauty of diversity. It invites every viewer to take a seat at the table and savor the collective experience of an interconnected world.