Sakana (魚)

Sakana (魚) depicts the shape of a fish with the head, scales, fins and tail shown—symbolising prosperity in Chinese culture. During Lunar New Year in Sydney’s Chinatown, I encountered the phrase "年年有餘" ("abundance year after year") and learnt that the last character "餘" meaning surplus/leftover, is also a homophone with the character "魚" (fish), hence the reason why fish is prepared during this festival.

As a Chinese Australian who has lived in Hong Kong and Japan, I explore heritage language as a bridge to cultural reconnection. Through the meditative act of painting and performing ancient Chinese and Japanese characters, I reinterpret and relive their meanings—bringing ancestral traditions into the present.

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Born in Hong Kong, Bryan Mew is an Australian Chinese artist who has been shortlisted as a finalist for multiple Australian art prizes including the 2021 Lloyd Rees Memorial Youth Art Awards, 2021 National Capital Art Prize and 2022 Lethbridge 20000 Art Prize. He has also been a finalist in the Australian Bluethumb art prize in 2021 and 2023. Mew has furthermore participated in shows at Melbourne’s Brunswick Street Gallery, the Red Gallery, and The Other Art Fair in Melbourne, Sydney and Los Angeles. Furthermore, he was featured in Australia’s Art Edit Magazine in 2022.

Mew's current art practice was inspired by his 2 years living in Japan, where he learnt about the origins of the Japanese Kanji writing system that dates back over 3000 years ago. He believes the study of these characters allows the very essence and meaning of humanity in ancient times to be revived, relived, transporting ancient traditions to the present. Recently, Mew has participated in a group exhibition in Tokyo, and a solo exhibition based on his art residency in Nara, Japan.