Author: admin
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A Cultural Journey to Sydney
Queensland Authors Attend the Sydney Launch of Volume Five of Too Blue to Be True – Days in Australia
On the afternoon of 5 August 2026, the launch of Volume Five of Too Blue to Be True – Days in Australia, a bilingual Chinese-English book series documenting the stories of contemporary Chinese migrants in Australia, was held at the Theatrette of Parliament House in New South Wales.
The 164-seat venue welcomed more than 200 guests. The event was so well attended that many audience members stood throughout the entire two-hour program.
The launch was hosted by Professor Han Jing of Western Sydney University. Speakers included Ms Gu Zheng, President of the Australian New Arts Federation; Mr Tang Peiliang, Editor-in-Chief of Too Blue to Be True – Days in Australia; and the Hon. Stephen Kamper MP, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism.
Launch of Volume Five of Too Blue to Be True – Days in Australia Among the many guests was a delegation of Queensland authors who had flown from Brisbane especially for the occasion. Their presence deeply touched those attending and added a distinctive splash of colour to the event. When the host invited them to stand and be introduced, the audience responded with thunderous applause, while the delegation members’ golden scarves shone brightly across the auditorium.
The delegation comprised Liu Xiaoying, Gang Wei, Shi Hong, Jiang Qunyi and spouse, Yang Xin, and Xia Xiaoyan and spouse.
Members of the delegation pose for a photograph with renowned Chinese-language writer Dr He Yuhuai and Ms Gu Zheng, President of the Australian New Arts Federation. 
Several contributing authors were invited to the stage to share their stories. During the launch, contributing authors including Gang Wei, President of the Queensland Chinese Photographic Society, and Shi Hong, President of the Queensland Chinese Doctors Association, were invited to the stage. They introduced their own contributions and recommended and commented on other outstanding works featured in the book.
That evening, guests gathered for dinner, during which a warm birthday celebration was also held for five friends born in August.
Celebrating the birthdays of five people born in August Since submissions opened for Volume Four, Liu Xiaoying’s initiative has inspired the formation of a remarkably close-knit writing group in Queensland. Volume Five once again features 11 works by Queensland authors.
On the evening of 4 August, members of the Queensland delegation arrived at the Travelodge Hotel in Hurstville after their long journey, wearing golden scarves symbolising the signature colour of Volume Five. Ms Gu Zheng, the project’s chief coordinator and President of the Australian New Arts Federation, had been waiting for their arrival. Overcome with emotion, she embraced each member of the delegation with tears in her eyes.
Editor-in-Chief Tang Peiliang was equally moved, remarking that amid the slight chill of winter, this touch of gold brought an immediate sense of warmth.
Visiting New South Wales Parliament House. Over the following days, in addition to attending the book launch, the Queensland delegation took part in a wide range of cultural exchange activities. They visited NSW Parliament House and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and joined a themed visit and discussion entitled “The Tower of Babel” at the home of renowned artist Shen Jiawei. They also attended a lively readers’ forum in Kogarah and were interviewed by Ms Zhao Rong for the community livestream program Impressions of Australia.
Renowned artist Professor Yang Xifa and his wife also prepared a sumptuous hotpot banquet especially for the delegation. Hosts and guests raised their glasses, talked and laughed together, and shared a warm and unforgettable evening.
Listening to artist Shen Jiawei discuss his paintings during a visit to his home. 
Sharing drinks and lively conversation at the home of artist Professor Yang Xifa. 
A toast to Too Blue to Be True – Days in Australia! 
Visiting an exhibition by artist Chen Jun. 
Editor-in-Chief Tang Peiliang, President Gu Zheng and Ms Zhao Rong thoughtfully organised activities for the delegation, provided transport and took care of every detail throughout the visit. As delegation member Gang Wei observed, this book has not only preserved our stories but also created many more unforgettable memories. It has reunited old friends and transformed strangers into friends through their shared sentiments and aspirations.
The delegation received a warm welcome wherever it went. Editor-in-Chief Tang Peiliang, President Gu Zheng and Ms Zhao Rong carefully arranged the delegation’s activities and extended thoughtful hospitality and care throughout the visit.
This cultural journey across a thousand kilometres will, like the rings of a tree, become deeply embedded in the memory of the Australian land.
Written by Gang Wei
Photos: Yang Xin, Gang Wei -
Quan Shang – Musician
Quan Shang is a Beijing-born violinist and music producer, currently based in Australia. He holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Tasmania and is a member of the China Musicians Association.
He is the first Chinese violinist to perform as a soloist in a Hollywood film and was awarded the “Special Artistic Contribution Award” by the City of Los Angeles.
Shang Quan has released ten solo violin albums and performed in nearly 1,000 concerts and charity events worldwide. In 2014, he raised USD 1 million for underprivileged children through a charity concert in China.
His music reaches a global audience online and continues to gain widespread recognition.
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Michael Jianmin Wang – Sculptor
0402343688
wangmichael688@gmail.comDATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH
24 August 1956, Tianjin, China
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts
Griffith University Queensland College of Art, December 1998Bachelor of Fine Arts Majoring in Sculpture
Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China, June 1985Diploma of Fine Art
Tianjin Fine Arts Technical College, December 1977EXHIBITIONS
- “Brisbane Sculptures Festival 2025.”
- “Northshore Sculpture by the River” 2024
- “Brisbane Sculptures Festival” 2023
- “Brisbane Sculptures Festival” 2022
- “Line”-In Celebration of the Centennial of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, China Cultural Centre, Sydney 2018
- “Wish you were here” Smith + Stoneley On Stratton, Brisbane 1999
- “East Coast Sculpture Show” Thursday Plantation, NSW 1998
- “Pagoda” Solo Exhibition, Smith + Stoneley on Stratton, Brisbane 1997
- “Diverse Visions” Gallery of Queensland College of Art, 1997
- “The Annual Arts Exhibition” The Central Academy of Fine Art Gallery, Beijing, China 1981-1985
AWARDS & PRIZES
- Participated in and won awards in the annual Art Competitions at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in four consecutive years.
COMMISSIONS
- Crane Sculpture – for Qiqihaer City Square, Heilongjiang province, commissioned by Qiqihaer Municipal Government.
- Sculpture Height: 5 Meters
- Material: Stainless steel
- Statue of Sun Yat-Sen – for the Sun Yat-sen Park in Beijing. Sculpture was commissioned by the Committee for the Chinese People’s Consultative Conference.
- Height: 3.4 meters
- Bronze finish
COLLECTIONS
- The Central Academy of Fine Arts Gallery, Beijing, China
- Griffith University Artworks
- Private collectors
PUBLICATIONS
- Line, China Cultural Centre, Sydney 2018
- Wish you were here, Smith + Stonely Brisbane 1999
- Third Thursday Plantation East Coast Sculpture Show Catalogue 1998
- Sullivan, M. 1996 Artists of Twentieth Century China, University of California Press, Ltd, London, England
- Art Research 1988/2 Central Academy of Fine Arts Press, Beijing, China
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Member, Sculptors Queensland Association
- Founding Member, Chinese Urban Sculpture Association, Beijing, China
PROFESIONAL EXPERIENCE
Independent Artist (Freelance)
Australia 1999 – Present- Develop and realise site-specific and conceptual sculptural projects
- Maintain an ongoing studio practice exploring form, structure, and spatial relationships
- Actively preparing for upcoming exhibitions Art Restorer in Graham Reynolds Pty ltd, Brisbane
1988 – 1999
- Experienced in the conservation and reconstruction of antiques, including carving, moulding, and casting
- Developed bespoke frame ornamentation that conceptually and visually reflects the artwork
Lecturer in Sculpture
Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China
1985 – 1988- Delivered lectures in drawing and sculptural techniques
- Supervised studio practice for sculpture majors
- Assessed student development, including examinations and coursework
- Organised and led field study programs across multiple provinces in China
Bust Series 2 
Bust Series 3 
Bust Series 4 
Bust Series5 
Bust Serise 1 
BustSeries 6 
Fete 1985 
Sun Yat-Sen First president of China 3.4m Bronze 1986 
Sun Yat-Sen 
Pogoda series 
Pogoda1 1998 
Pogoda2 1998 
Pogoda3 1998 -
Zhipeng WU – Painter
Zhipeng WU was born in China. Graduated from Fujian Institute of Arts and Crafts, China.
In 1996, the Queensland Department of Culture held the first solo exhibition ” Impression of Dunhuang”.
In 2013, he was awarded the ” Cultural Champion Award” by the Queensland Department of Culture.
His works have been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Australia and internationally.
Based on this growing experience and later experience of studying in Australia, traveling to Europe, and even in the process of artistic creation so far, I have formed a cultural attitude of ” interclturality” to observe and think about my fulcrum and mutual involvement in coping with artistic language in the transformation of different social and cultural environments. Through personal social experience and cultural experience as a link, to re-examine and think about the East and West culture and aesthetic form, the formation of their own artistic creation language and methods.
