The theme for this year is ‘connection through culture’ and is a call to action to reach out to others, participate and be part of Brisbane’s evolving cultural story. Over three weeks from 1-20 February, audiences can experience the transformative power of live performance, learn and grow through immersive workshops and travel the length and breadth of Asia across the incredibly packed festival program that has something for everyone.

Festival highlights
Fresh festival experiences for 2022 include the hip hop/luxury car/food truck event Southside by Night, the first-ever dedicated tea festival The Laneway Tea Festival, digital storytelling initiative Mother’s Table, a special Valentine’s Day event called BrisAsia Love Songs, new music and healing initiative Satsang – Sacred Gathering and BrisAsia Fashion showcasing some of the finest Asian designers.

BrisAsia Festival
1-20 February
Various locations around Brisbane
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

In a one-night only Brisbane return season patrons can dine with strangers in Jamie Lewis’ immersive performance on love, loss and migration. Following a popular Melbourne season and sold-out Brisbane Festival season last year, Saltwater returns home to Metro Arts where the work was first created.

Drawing on his Hmong heritage, multidisciplinary artist Vanghoua Anthony Vue transforms the Metro Arts stairwell with a striking and colourful installation that stretches across four levels.

Oriental Women, a series of hand-coloured photographs by Brisbane-based artist Sancintya Simpson, will be exhibited. Reminiscent of early ethnographic photographs of the ‘Exotic Other’, Simpson’s works features women sitting for the western gaze, but subverting it and eating cheap oriental flavoured instant noodles.

Drawing from her background of living in both Australia and Indonesia, Bridie Gillman invites conversation as part of a temporary research lab where she will be investigating the Australian and Bali connection as a catalyst for a forthcoming project.

Kerbside furniture finds a new home at Metro Arts after being delicately reassembled in an installation reminiscent of a Japanese flower arrangement. The site specific installation will be created at the back of the Metro Arts’ carriageway by multi-disciplinary artist Alrey Batol.

The exciting event also includes Yum Chat, a day of conversation, connection, contemporary art and cups of tea on Sunday February 21 as part of Brisbane City Council’s BrisAsia Festival. This unique day offers everyone a chance to meet artists, including Michelle Law and Li Cunxin, and talk to them about their work in Australia, Asia, and beyond.

The full program for AusAsia is on the Metro Arts website, packed with something for everyone to enjoy.

AusAsia
17 – 21 February 2016
Metro Arts Gallery, Level 2, 109 Edward Street
www.metroarts.com.au