William Yang to discuss art during UQ Diversity Week

Members of the public are invited to experience Being Other when artist William Yang gives a free public lecture at St Lucia this Wednesday.

Part of UQ’s Diversity Week celebrations, the event will see Yang discuss a body of work which stretches across four decades and captures key moments in Australia’s multicultural and gay history.

Mr Yang said growing up as a third generation Chinese-Australian in north Queensland, moving to Brisbane and then coming out in Sydney had influenced his practice across the years.

“Because I’m marginalised myself, being Chinese in a predominately white, Australian society, and being gay in a predominately heterosexual society, just in telling my own story I bring up these issues,” he said.

“It has been empowering to me to find my own voice and consequently give voice to others.”

One of the artist’s works – Alter Ego – splices images of Mr Yang in a suit with those of a younger, naked Asian-Australian man.

“Actually I’m not very good at theoretical arguments, nor do I know statistics on certain issues, but I have had experience of being in a marginalised situation and can convey what that is like,” he said.

Yang’s work also forms part of a special exhibition which explores the depth of the UQ art collection in the University’s Centenary year.

His photographs capture a range of subjects including Australia’s iconic beaches, male beauty and the early years of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

They also zero in on sobering issues such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 80s and 90s.

“The AIDS issue was an extremely difficult time for the gay community, as it suffered deep loss and trauma from illness and death,” Yang said.

“It’s an emotional story to tell but I also unburdened myself of the story by telling it, so in that sense it was therapeutic.”

In addition to his photographic practice, Yang has produced several monologue performances which present his work and experiences to live audiences.

William Yang presents Being Other at the UQ Art Museum, St Lucia from 6pm on Wednesday, May 26. All are welcome.

More information about the 2010 UQ Diversity Week program, themed “Our Global Community” is available at www.uq.edu.au/diversity-week

Media: Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)