Sweet and Sour
Sweet and Sour was born in 2020 during the beginning of the first lockdown brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Deeply troubled by the rise in discrimination and xenophobia directed towards Asian Australians catalysed by the pandemic, I wanted to start a creative project focused on sharing the experiences of Asian Australians at a time where many of us felt alone during a period of isolation.
Since April of 2020, Sweet and Sour grew rapidly. It began as a creative publication I ran with a team of 11 volunteers in Canberra and Melbourne with a broad readership and contributors across Australia. On top of publishing 4 iterations of a physical publication, Sweet and Sour held educational and creative workshops and events, threw parties focused on highlighting Asian Australia musicians and performers, and produced limited edition merchandise designed by Asian Australian creatives. We have formed meaningful connections with local, national and online communities and collaborated on exciting projects with Asian Australian individuals and groups. Due to the ongoing restrictions and lockdowns that Covid brought along, as well as my move from Canberra to Melbourne, Sweet and Sour came to an end in 2022 after 2 successful years.
Sweet and Sour Issue One Launch Party Smith's Alternative in Canberra on August 9 2020
Sweet and Sour Issue Two Launch Party at aMBUSH Gallery in Canberra on November 20 2020
Sweet and Sour Issue Three Launch Party at Sideway Bar in Canberra on March 27 2021
Linocut Workshop at aMBUSH Gallery in Canberra on October 2 2020
“Being Asian today in Australia is not easy. When more than one culture demands your allegiance, there is a bizarre sense of existing between multiple worlds, yet not fully belonging to either. We are international students, mixed-race individuals and second-generation immigrants; many of us belong to multiple cultural identities, and face issues relating to belonging, racism and identity. Sweet and Sour was conceived with the notion of creating a space for individuals and communities with Asian heritage in Australia to share our thoughts, experiences and creativity. Every word and illustration within our publication comes from an Asian creator, but is produced for everyone, no matter your race or culture.”
Merchandise created for Sweet and Sour
August 2020 - Interview with Art Sound FM
August 2020 - Interview with Woroni Radio
September 2020 - Interview with Woroni Magazine
August 2020 - Issue One Launch Party at Smith's Alternative
October 2020 - Hosted Linocut Workshop at aMBUSH Gallery
October 2020 - Winner of Innovation ACT Competition
November 2020 - Issue Two Launch Party at aMBUSH Gallery
December 2020 - Awarded grant from Diversity Arts Australia
January 2021 - Hosted life drawing workshop at aMBUSH Gallery
February 2021 - Hosted another Linocut Workshop at aMBUSH Gallery
March 2021 - Issue Three Launch Party at Sideway Bar
June 2021 - Exhibited as part of Acute Actions: Responses To I Am Not A Virus (Part 2) Exhibition at 4A Gallery
October 2021 - Issue Four Launched online
March 2022 - Exhibited in part of a Group Exhibition at Fairfield City Museum & Gallery