Art work worth more than A$250,000 from 29 Chinese Australian artists has been donated to a Beijing art gallery to raise funds for the Victorian bushfire appeal. The works form part of the 'Coming Home' exhibition, an initiative of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority and is the largest exhibition of Chinese Australian contemporary art ever to be shown in China.

The artists form part of a group of 37 first, second and third generation Chinese Australian artists, including William Yang, Greg Leong, Lindy Lee, Laurens Tan and Pamela See. The group includes artists who have already established international reputations and several young, new, emerging artists.
Australian Ambassador to China, Dr Geoff Raby said the exhibition provided an excellent example of the mutual influences of Australian and Chinese cultures on artists from both countries.
"[It] provides a valuable opportunity for dialogue and exchange between Chinese and Australian artists,” said Dr Raby. “It also promotes understanding of the diversity and innovation of Australian contemporary culture in China.”
A live auction on May 10 has already raised over RMB 500,000 (A$104,000) towards the bushfire appeal. Final bids on six remaining art works in the silent auction will be announced at a closing party on May 24.
Jun Chen’s ‘Spring’ won the highest live auction bid, going for RMB 65,000 (A$13,570), followed by an untitled piece from Guo Jian  for RMB 41,000 (A$8560).
Artist Zhong Deng from Goulburn, New South Wales said the visit to China had encouraged some of the artists to think about their fellow Australian country men and women affected by the February bushfires and in response they had chosen to donate their favorite artwork to raise funds towards the appeal.
Artworks still available in the silent auction include Hangzhou born Australian artist Xiao Lu’s ‘Open Fire’ limited edition photograph and Laurens Tan’s fiberglass/ baked enamel ‘Depth of Ease (Lounge).
The project is part of a cultural exchange program between host cities of the Olympic Games and follows on from the 2008 ‘From Mao to Now’ exhibition.
Coming Home is on show at the Linda Gallery in Beijing’s 798 art precinct until May 24.
For more information on bids for remaining art work contact Catherine Croll in Beijing on +86 15101575037 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it