Filter by
UNSW Galleries

Unpacking Murder: William Yang & Ellie Buttrose

Where
UNSW Galleries
UNSW Galleries
Corner of Oxford Street and Greens Road, Paddington NSW 2021
When

Saturday 18 May 2024 from 2pm to 3pm

Join William Yang in conversation with Ellie Buttrose as they unpack the harrowing story behind Yang’s photographic series My Uncle’s Murder featured in the 24th Biennale of Sydney.

This series recounts the murder of William Fang Yuen in 1922 at the hands of a White plantation manager in far north Queensland. Together Yang and Buttrose will discuss the contributions of the Chinese migrant community to agricultural progress in Queensland, the ongoing ramifications of the White Australia Policy, and Yang’s honest and enduring commitment to uncovering histories that would otherwise remain hidden.

William Yang is a Queensland-born, Sydney-based photographer whose significant contributions to Australian photography spans over five decades. Known for his reflective and joyous depictions of Australia’s queer scene in the late 1970s and 1980s through to the present, Yang’s photography is informed by the cultural and political pressures of growing up as a gay man from a Chinese immigrant family in north Queensland. Yang’s documentary photography encompasses explorations of cultural and sexual identities and depictions of landscape. His photographic practice is integrated with writing, video, and performance, and is grounded in narrative and storytelling.

Ellie Buttrose is Associate Curator of Contemporary International Art at the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane-Meanjin, Australia. She has been part of the Gallery’s curatorial team on the flagship Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art series of exhibitions since 2015; and has curated many QAGOMA exhibitions and cinema programs including ‘Cut it: Collage to Meme’ 2020, ‘Work, Work, Work’ 2019, ‘Limitless Horizon: Vertical Perspective’ 2017, ‘Harvest’ 2014, ‘Divided Selves’ 2014, and ‘The Otolith Group’ 2013. Buttrose was selected as the curator for Archie Moore’s new project to represent Australia at the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia (Biennale Arte) in 2024.

Presented in conjunction with the 24th Biennale of Sydney, ‘Ten Thousand Suns’ at UNSW Galleries, 9 March – 10 June 2024.

Image: William Yang, In Cane Fields from the series ‘My Uncle's Murder’, 2008. Courtesy of the artist.

Contact event organiser

UNSW Galleries

Accessibility

Advertisement

More events in Talks, courses & workshops

Chris Watts: Slow Burn

Chris Watts: Slow Burn

An exhibition of powerful, vibrant statements on the themes of fashion, confidence, style, and attitude.
Today 9am to 5pm
Echoes of Light: Our Connection Through Waterways

Echoes of Light: Our Connection Through Waterways

A First Nations exhibition focusing on the deep connections between culture, Country and water.
Today 11am to 5pm
Legendary stories behind iconic art: Art Appreciation 2025

Legendary stories behind iconic art: Art Appreciation 2025

Uncover epic tales and masterworks in this year-long art lecture series. Enjoy a single lecture, or the whole year!
Today 1pm to 2pm
Supa sculpted moments exhibit transforms SupaCentaMoorePark

Supa sculpted moments exhibit transforms SupaCentaMoorePark

Art meets the everyday with Supa Sculpted Moments. Free exhibit until 20 July bringing over 25 contemporary sculptures.
Today 9am to 9pm
Auslan Ceramics Art Club

Auslan Ceramics Art Club

Facilitated by Deaf ceramic artist Kirsty Collins, Auslan Ceramics Art Club for the Deaf and HOH community at Kil.n.it
Tomorrow
¾ Life-size Torso Sculpture Workshop with Georgina Mills

¾ Life-size Torso Sculpture Workshop with Georgina Mills

This torso study workshop will guide students through the process involved in working with clay from the life model.
Tomorrow