Artist Talk - Man&Wah: Propagate | Germinate | Bloom

*Propagate/Germinate/Bloom*, an immersive, awe-inspiring exhibition by Brisbane-based artist duo Man&Wah

4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art (4A) is an independent not-for-profit organisation based in Sydney, Australia. Since 1996, 4A has fostered excellence and innovation in contemporary culture through the commissioning, presentation, documentation and research of contemporary art. Our program is presented throughout Australia and Asia, where we ensure that contemporary art plays a central role in understanding and developing the dynamic relationship between Australia and the wider Asian region.

In our major commission for 2025, we invited duo Man&Wah from Brisbane to turn our gallery space into an immersive exhibition that blends soundscape, installation, large-scale prints and video projection - a terrarium-like space and cosmic environment if you like. Their work reflects on past memories, their migration from Asia to Australia and how it has shaped their lives and creativity, their fascination with plants, contemplations of the present and possible futures, and wonderings about this cosmic existence.

During this artist talk, Man&Wah will elucidate their ideas and process of deep and long research on country, how they make it a point to tread lightly and with gentle care the land they traverse.

Join other members of the Sydney Culture Network as we step into an exhibition unlike any other, featuring:

Multisensory installations infused with cosmic soundscapes and sacred resonance;
Transcendent digital blooms that blur the line between technology and nature;
Monumental portraits that honour diasporic memory and ancestral connection;
Narratives drawn from pilgrimage, weaving stories of displacement and belonging;
Timeless rhythms of plant life and celestial cycles anchoring the experience in ecological wonder

Man shares: “...so we will merge these two experiences of the East and West together in the context of plants, deities and rituals.”

“To perceive through the human experience and to consider the vastness of activities and cycles constantly unfolding in tandem in this universe,” says Wah. “This felt experience is what we attempt to express through our artworks and exhibitions.”

Date: Thursday 31 July 2025
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Venue: 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
Location:181-187 Hay Street Haymarket NSW 2000

Artist Talk summary

“Culture is not stagnant or archival; it’s a constant little-by-little process”

Man&Wah shared their experiences and artistic inspirations, focusing on the blend of technology and nature. They talked about visiting places like China, India, and Australia, where cultural beliefs influence how nature is treated, and explored the theme of East meets West, drawing from their time in Western Australia and Hong Kong, where they incorporated neon lights into their art to symbolize cultural fusion.

Their creative process starts with simple drawings that evolve into digital art, emphasizing the importance of geometry and meditation. In their discussion, they identified combining elements from different cultures in their art, like Chinese deities and Western influences, to show how culture is always changing.

A video work titled "East and West" uses flowers and mandalas to explore themes of duality and karma. The speaker uses technology to slow down the pace of life, contrasting with the fast-paced digital world. They observe how different people interact with their art, showing varied experiences.

Overall, the artist talk reflected on their cultural identity and the importance of creating beauty in a chaotic world, appreciating their parents' sacrifices and the chance to follow their passions. The exhibition is seen as a meaningful experience for both the speaker and their family.

“We practice the religion of nature”