Cultured Food

Pocket Exhibition by Yin Cao

In every culture, certain foods have metaphoric meanings beyond their gastronomic function – explore 'Cultured Food' in Chinese art with curator Yin Cao.

'The couple in Li Jin’s painting are faced with a table laden with fish, their wide-eyed expressions mirroring those of the limp creatures before them,' says Cao.

'The calligraphic inscription reads, "The world is yours, and also ours, but in the end is yours. The Chinese word for fish, yu, is a homonym for the word ‘left over’, conveying a sense of generational transition.'

Li Jin The world is yours 2020, Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of the Joy and Harold Marchant Foundation 2020 © Li Jin

'Cultured Food' pocket exhibition curated by Yin Cao

'Cabbages in late autumn are written in the lines of famed gentlemen. Chives in spring rain can be meals to entertain friends. How can they be compared with the rich flavour from a pickier jar ? We view pickles as tasty as the meal of a striped pig.'

Curator text: The ordinary gourd and peach both have many auspicious meanings in Chinese culture. Gourd symbolises luck and prosperity, as well as being associated with Daoism,while peaches often associate with longevity wishes.

China, Longquan ware, Qing dynasty (1644-1911) Vase in double-gourd shape, Art Gallery of New South Wales, bequest of Laurence G.Harrison 1997

Wang Geyi Peach of Longevity 20th century (detail). Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Mr.& Mrs.Teck-Chiow Lee 2005 © Wang Geyi

Wang Geyi Peach of Longevity 20th century. Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Mr.& Mrs.Teck-Chiow Lee 2005 © Wang Geyi

Wang Geyi Peach of Longevity 20th century. Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of Mr.& Mrs.Teck-Chiow Lee 2005 © Wang Geyi

Qi Baishi Pumpkins late 19th century-mid 20th century (detail). Art Gallery of New South Wales, anonymous gift 2000 © Qi Baishi

Curator text: Eating and drinking are ways of expressing one's sentiments and state of mind, making them popular subjects in works of art. Master Qi Baishi lamented the hardships of life, and the struggle for food while drawing the pumpkin painting.

Curator text: The Luo Brothers juxtapose Chinese symbols, such as tigers - symbols of power and courage - and peony, indicating noble status and wealth, with objects of Western consumerism represented by brands including Coca-Cola and Wrigley's chewing gum.

Luo Brothers Welcome the world famous brand 2000, Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of the Art Gallery Society of New South Wales Contempo Group 2006 © Luo Brothers, courtesy Ray Hughes Gallery, Sydney

Luo Brothers Welcome the world famous brand 2000 (detail). Art Gallery of New South Wales, gift of the Art Gallery Society of New South Wales Contempo Group 2006 © Luo Brothers, courtesy Ray Hughes Gallery, Sydney