Rachel Zhou

Graduate Certificate of Visual Art

I constantly consider, through my own life experience, the meaning of multiculturalism and diaspora, and their influence on personal identities.

Inspired by the cinematographic aesthetics of Wong Kar-Wai, my installation of stop-motion collage depicts night scenes in Chinatown. I emotionally relate to the symbolism of Chinatown as it is a simulacrum of China but does not necessarily represent its sophisticated culture.

The non-chronological montage resembles my subconscious state of mind; the behaviour of peeping at other people on the street through reflective surface suggests a desire to know their lives. As a first generation migrant myself, I represent the aspiration to be assertive about who we are and the shape of our past and future experiences – issues that are significant to everyone.