Dr Christian Thompson AO: House of Gold at Cairns Art Gallery
From 11 April to 14 June 2026, Cairns Art Gallery will showcase 'House of Gold,' an exhibition by Dr. Christian Thompson AO, an artist of Bidjara, Irish, and Chinese descent. This collection delves into his Chinese roots linked to the Gold Rush migration of the 1850s, inspired by a line from poetry of the Song Dynasty: 'a book in the hand holds a house of gold.' Initially unveiled in 2024 at the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art in Sydney, the pieces depict the artist interacting with colonial historical structures. Thompson's diverse practice includes performance, photography, sculpture, film, and sound, merging identities within imaginative settings. Notable works include 'House of Gold Chapter 10 (Chinese Museum),' 2023, a c-type print on Moab Slickrock Metallic Pearl paper.
Key facts
- Dr Christian Thompson AO is a Bidjara/Irish/Chinese–Australian artist.
- The exhibition 'House of Gold' runs from 11 April to 14 June 2026.
- The venue is Cairns Art Gallery in Queensland.
- The work explores Chinese heritage from the 1850s Gold Rush migration.
- Inspiration comes from Song Dynasty poetry: 'a book in the hand holds a house of gold.'
- The exhibition was first presented in 2024 at 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, Sydney.
- Thompson's practice includes performance, photography, sculpture, film, and sound.
- The work 'House of Gold Chapter 10 (Chinese Museum)' is a 2023 c-type print.
Entities
Artists
- Dr Christian Thompson AO
Institutions
- Cairns Art Gallery
- 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
Locations
- Cairns
- Queensland
- Australia
- Sydney