Follow the Lanterns

Jake Yang is an Adelaide emerging artist whose practice explores queer and youth culture in contemporary society, while also strongly influenced by his conservative traditional Chinese culture. Yang challenges normative assumptions around identity through the portrayal of his lived experience of existing as part of three very different cultures and communities at once (Chinese, Australian and Queer). His practice explores the evolving cross-sections of his identity.

Recent graduate of Adelaide Central School of Art, Yang explores contemporary ways of painting, through formal elements, subject matter and celebrating safe spaces through figures in nature. He explores key themes of intimacy, privacy, freedom, and rebellion in his practice.

Follow the Lanterns encapsulates OzAsia Festival, celebrating rich and deep Asian cultures. The artist described:

‘I wanted to bring to life the vibrant and lively energy that is OzAsia Festival through a layered image approach and the overlapping culmination of culture celebrated. The lucky red and gold colours in Asian culture symbolise good fortune, joy and prosperity in the new year, which surrounds the OzAsia Festival and its extensive program.  An iconic staple is the moon lantern trail, including and honouring these elements was integral to my design in capturing the warmth and energy of this installation along the Karrawirra Parri (River Torrens).’

This piece commemorates the Adelaide Festival Centre’s 50th Anniversary, OzAsia Festival being a flagship connecting with the beautiful and dynamic, traditional and contemporary cultures of our region.