Among the Marri Trees: Portraits of Multicultural Australia

Jessie Yi Xiao Chen is a first generation Chinese-Australian artist and general practitioner working in Western Australia, who's work explores themes of cultural identity, family history, and connection to the past.

Among the Marri Trees: Portraits of Multicultural Australia draws from old photographs of the families of migrants from their old country. The series is inspired by the stories of ordinary individuals and their families, and how people hold on to memories of their homeland.

This is a story central to so many Australians across different cultures, which forms a connection between them that transcends cultural and societal differences.

Zenatalla with Marri Leaves (2019) by Jessie ChenMuseum of Freedom and Tolerance

Zenatalla with Marri Leaves

Zenatalla Ibrahim was born in Egypt and arrived in Australia 1996.

Rima and Zivojin, Jessie Chen, 2019, From the collection of: Museum of Freedom and Tolerance
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Consiglia and Giuseppe, Jessie Chen, 2019, From the collection of: Museum of Freedom and Tolerance
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Meya Singh (2019) by Jessie ChenMuseum of Freedom and Tolerance

Meya Singh

Born in India and arrived in Australia in 1901.

Aziza with Grevilleas (2019) by Jessie ChenMuseum of Freedom and Tolerance

Aziza with Grevilleas

Aziza Khorakiwala was born in India and arrived in Australia in 1990.

Summer of '96, Jessie Chen, 2019, From the collection of: Museum of Freedom and Tolerance
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The matriarch and her descendents, Jessie Chen, 2019, From the collection of: Museum of Freedom and Tolerance
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Credits: Story

All images taken by Jessie Yi Xiao Chen of her own portraits, from the series Among the Marri Trees: Portraits of Multicultural Australia, which was first exhibited at Yagan Square in Perth, Western Australia for Harmony Week 2019.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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