IN BETWEEN Exhibition Opens at Creative Asia Art Centre

We Are Who We Are

On 25 July, IN BETWEEN 2026 officially opened at Creative Asia Art Centre in Melbourne. Under the theme “We Are Who We Are,” the exhibition brings together artists from China, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other diverse cultural backgrounds to explore identity, belonging, self-expression, and human connection through painting, installation, photography, digital media, and experimental artistic practices.

The opening night welcomed guests from the arts sector, cultural organisations, universities, and local communities, creating an atmosphere of respect, inclusion, and meaningful dialogue as the exhibition commenced its two-week public presentation.

The exhibition is jointly presented by Creative Asia Foundation (CAF) and the Association of Multicultural Arts and Cultural Communication (AMACC), and is hosted at Creative Asia Art Centre, located within the World Trade Centre Melbourne.

Opening Ceremony

We Are Who We Are

The opening ceremony was hosted by Project Manager Eason Lin, who introduced the curatorial vision behind the exhibition.

He described IN BETWEEN not as a physical place, but as a state of being.

Throughout our lives, we constantly encounter moments that resist clear definition—spaces between identities, cultures, relationships, and expectations. These experiences shape how we understand ourselves and how we connect with others. Whether they relate to identity, intimacy, belonging, or human relationships, these in-between moments become essential parts of how we define who we are.

Lead Curator Hebe Huang highlighted the exhibition’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

She explained that the participating artists, coming from different cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and gender backgrounds, collectively create a transitional space where visitors are invited to move beyond labels, reconnect with their authentic selves, and embrace the complexity of personal identity.

Featuring painting, installation, photography, digital media, and interdisciplinary practices, the exhibition presents a wide range of artistic voices.

Curator Christine Shao noted that every artwork in the exhibition is deeply rooted in the artists’ personal experiences. Through humour, irony, imagination, remembrance, and reflection, each work serves as an honest record of lived experience, inviting audiences to engage with stories that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.

She described IN BETWEEN as an invitation to embrace uncertainty, recognising that some of life's most meaningful moments emerge while we are still finding our way. The exhibition encourages visitors to slow down, remain curious, and appreciate the beauty of being in between.

Creative Asia Art Centre

Building a Sustainable Platform for Contemporary Art

During the opening remarks, Sheryl Leigh, Chair of Creative Asia Foundation, introduced the vision and ongoing development of Creative Asia Art Centre.

She explained that the centre, jointly operated by Creative Asia Foundation and Le Grange Gallery, is located within the World Trade Centre Melbourne and serves as a vibrant cultural hub dedicated to fostering artistic exchange and cultural innovation throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

More than simply an exhibition venue, Creative Asia Art Centre functions as an active platform where exhibitions, artist residencies, collaborative projects, workshops, artist talks, and mentorship programs continue to flourish.

By supporting both emerging and established artists, the centre provides opportunities to present new work, expand professional practice, and build meaningful connections with diverse audiences.

Sheryl also emphasised that intercultural dialogue remains central to the centre’s mission.

Through art, Creative Asia Art Centre seeks to connect people across different cultures and communities, celebrating diversity while discovering shared values. Supported by an expanding international network of partners, the centre is committed to building a more open, inclusive, and sustainable artistic ecosystem for both current and future generations.

Opening Night Program

The opening program commenced at 5:00 pm with a series of Artist Talks and live performances presented by Khue Nguyen, Matthew Chan, Richard Mccoy and Jonathon Harris, offering audiences valuable insight into their artistic practices and creative processes.

The official opening ceremony began at 6:00 pm, followed by a captivating Drag Performance by Rory Giezekamp and collaborators. Wearing costumes designed by Rory, the performers moved throughout the gallery, transforming the exhibition space into an immersive environment where performance, fashion, and visual art intersected. The performance powerfully reflected the exhibition’s exploration of identity, self-expression, and diversity.

Music, Community and Celebration

Throughout the evening, live music by DJ Zijian Wang provided the soundtrack for the event, creating an energetic yet welcoming atmosphere that encouraged conversation and connection.

Artists, curators, and visitors gathered over food and drinks, exchanging ideas and celebrating the exhibition in an open and inclusive environment.

To further encourage individual expression, the opening night featured a Party Attire Dress Code, inviting guests to creatively interpret the exhibition’s spirit through fashion. Audience voting concluded with the presentation of the Best Dressed Award, reinforcing the idea that every participant contributes to the collective experience of the exhibition.

We Are Who We Are

Queer art is not simply about one community or one identity.

It is about the universal human experience of understanding ourselves, embracing difference, and creating spaces where authenticity can exist without fear.

Through IN BETWEEN, the curatorial team hopes to cultivate an environment where people from all backgrounds can pause, reflect, and reconsider the meanings of identity, belonging, and connection.

The exhibition ultimately reminds us that authenticity requires neither explanation nor permission.

We Are Who We Are.

Every story deserves to be heard.Every identity deserves to be respected.Every individual deserves the freedom to exist as their true self.

Photo Credit: Yuhang Wang