Inspired HER Exhibition Opens | NAMING · ILLUMINATION · RESONANCE

Inspired HER Exhibition Opens as Part of the Double Seventh Cultural Arts Festival

On 23 August 2025, the Inspired HER Exhibition officially opened at the Creative Asia Art Centre, World Trade Centre Melbourne, marking a landmark moment in the Double Seventh Cultural Arts Festival series.

Jointly presented by the Creative Asia Foundation (CAF) and the Australia Women and Children Protection and Development Inc. (AWCPD), supported by the Victoria Government,  the event was co-hosted with the Australia Multi Art & Culture Council (AMACC), Asia Media, Le Grange Gallery, and Artspie Australia, with special sponsorship support from BYD Melbourne.

This exhibition was more than an artistic showcase — it became a cultural bridge, linking communities through creativity, strengthening social cohesion, and providing an international platform for women’s voices to be seen and heard.

Exhibition Theme & Artists

Centred on the theme “NAMING · ILLUMINATION · RESONANCE”, the exhibition brought together 25 women artists from eight countries, presenting original works across painting, installation, photography, video, and mixed media. Each piece explored resilience, identity, and empowerment, offering powerful reflections on how women navigate cultural heritage, memory, and contemporary society.

Audiences encountered not only artworks but also moments of cross-cultural and cross-generational resonance, where women’s creativity illuminated shared human experiences.

Opening Remarks & VIP Presence

The event welcomed leaders from the arts, cultural, and diplomatic communities. Sheryl Leigh, Executive Director of the Creative Asia Art Centre, opened with an introduction to the cultural origins of the Double Seventh Festival. She emphasised that the festival is not merely about tradition, but about recognising women’s growth, independence, and self-realisation.

The Hon. Bruce Atkinson, former President of the Victorian Legislative Council, delivered a keynote address. Reflecting on his long career advocating for women breaking through the “glass ceiling”, he highlighted the importance of women’s voices in reshaping social and cultural landscapes. He commended Sheryl as a leading figure in the Asian-Australian community for using art to empower women, calling the exhibition “a profound bridge for multicultural dialogue and community connection.”

Panel Talk: Women, Art & Empowerment

A highlight of the program was a thought-provoking panel discussion, “Women, Art & Empowerment”, moderated by Sheryl and featuring four diverse speakers:

• Juliet D Collins – Sculptor and textile artist, who spoke on women’s narratives of body, strength, and identity through material-based art.

• Dr. Angelina Mirabito – Contemporary abstract artist and academic, who reflected on art as a channel for healing, emotion, and subconscious expression.

• Connie Wong – Community arts advocate, who discussed abstraction and colour as tools for cultural dialogue and inclusion.

• Erica Olina – Multidisciplinary artist, model, and educator, who explored intersections of psychology and art in empowerment and wellbeing.

The panel explored questions such as:

How can art help women reclaim their voices and identities? How do women artists draw strength from tradition while pushing into modern expression? How does cross-cultural practice enable community healing and empowerment?

The dialogue inspired lively interaction between artists and audience, sparking reflection on women’s roles in both art and society.

Cultural Impact & Media Coverage

The exhibition not only showcased diverse perspectives but also underscored the power of art in healing, empowerment, and dialogue. It gained significant attention from local media, including coverage by SBS Mandarin Channel, which profiled artists such as Connie Wong, who balanced family responsibilities before returning to her artistic journey, and Regina Yu, a young international student who found inspiration and encouragement through the exhibition.

Their stories highlighted resilience, transformation, and the belief that women’s growth should not be limited by age, family, or prejudice — but can flourish in freedom, courage, and creativity.

Acknowledgments

The Creative Asia Art Centre extends gratitude to its partners, sponsors, and every participating artist for making Inspired HER a resounding success. Special thanks to BYD Melbourne, which delighted audiences with a lucky draw offering weekend test drives of their latest vehicles.

About Inspired HER, Exhibition Period: 23 - 30 August 2025, CAAC

In the cultural imagery of the Double Seventh Festival, the exhibition reinterprets tradition — moving beyond the old associations with marriage skills to instead celebrate women’s creativity, independence, and leadership.

Through NAMING · ILLUMINATION · RESONANCE, the exhibition:

• Names women artists, giving them rightful recognition in the art world.

• Illuminates women’s journeys, showing their creativity as a beacon of growth.

• Resonates with audiences, creating collective dialogue and shared inspiration.

Inspired HER is not only an exhibition — it is a social dialogue, a cultural bridge, and a testament to the enduring power of women’s art to inspire connection, courage, and change.