Dissatisfied with collector Geoff Raby’s whitewashing of the CCP, Chinese artist Xiao Lu refused to attend the Sydney Art Exhibition
“Radio Free Asia" reported: Dissatisfied with collector Geoff Raby’s whitewashing of the CCP, Chinese artist Xiao Lu refused to attend the Sydney Art Exhibition. link：https://bit.ly/3S3RLD9
This is a letter I wrote to Steven Alderton, CEO of the National Art School in Sydney, told him why I decline Geoff Raby.
This is why I decline Geoff Raby
On January 17, 2024, the National Art School Gallery in Sydney is set to host the exhibition "In Our Time: Four Decades of Art from China and Beyond – The Geoff Raby Collection." I received invitations to related events from the exhibition organizer Steven Alderton (Director and CEO) and Susan Rothwell AM (Chair, National Art School Board of Directors). Today, I had an interview with Radio Free Asia, during which I was asked about my potential involvement in exhibition-related activities. I explicitly conveyed to the reporter that I wouldn't be attending due to my stance on Geoff Raby.
This marks the second time I've turned down an offer from him. In 2021, when I first arrived in Sydney, he proposed organizing a solo exhibition of my work at Vermilion Art, Sydney, with himself as the curator, but I refused.
Why did I refuse Geoff Baby?
I first crossed paths with Geoff Raby in 2010 during the press conference for my novel "Dialogue" at the Australian Consulate in Beijing, where he served as the Australian Ambassador. Since that initial encounter, we maintained occasional contact, and he included my artwork, "Open Fire," in one of his collection exhibitions. Additionally, in 2018, I took part in the "Sworn Sisters" exhibition at Vermilion Art, which he curated.
My distrust of Geoff Raby grew after 2019 when he set up a WeChat group and frequently shared links to articles expressing his views on current affairs from mainstream Chinese websites.
One particular article from People's Daily Online1, published on December 24, 2019, caught my attention. Titled "Former Australian Ambassador to China Geoff Raby Wrote an Article Praising China's Development Achievements in 2019," a segment of the text is highlighted below:
"Former Australian Ambassador to China, Geoff Raby, wrote in the Financial Review on the 18th (Dec, 2019) that the world situation continued to be turbulent in 2019, and China has become more prosperous, self-confidence and secure under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. Moreover, Australia and other Western countries should view China’s development objectively. Here are the main points of Raby’s article: China has effectively resolved risk challenges, political and social security remain stable. In 2019, Western democratic society was full of chaos and violent demonstrations occurred one after another. In sharp contrast, China successfully celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, demonstrating China's national strength and national cohesion to the world with a grand military parade. The Chinese government has calmly and restrainedly responded to the large-scale violent demonstrations in Hong Kong, and social order in Hong Kong is gradually restoring..."
I hail from China and have directly witnessed the true cost of so-called "prosperity" under the governance of the Chinese government. For example, to ensure clear skies on significant celebration days, the authorities even mandated the temporary shutdown of factories around Beijing for several days.
In China, pervasive challenges include internet control, censorship of art exhibitions, and a system of government-incentivized reporting among citizens. In a nation where the rule of man frequently takes precedence over the rule of law, the quest for security remains elusive for all.
In 2019, I traveled to Hong Kong, actively taking part in parades and engaging in a performance art piece to express solidarity with the people of Hong Kong in their pursuit of freedom. Witnessing the courage and unwavering commitment of Hong Kong citizens left an indelible mark on me. In a city with a population of 700 million, there was a time when as many as 2 million protestors took to the streets.
I felt outrage for Geoff Raby dismissing the fundamental demands of the Hong Kong people for freedom and characterizing the Chinese government's crackdown as “calm and restrained,” seemingly downplaying the severity of the situation and contributing to an image-cleansing narrative for the CCP’s repression. Upon further exploration of his comments on the internet, I realized the need to reassess my opinion of Geoff Raby.
In 2020, while traveling on a high-speed train from Hangzhou to Shanghai, I encountered an advertisement for Swan Wine Group's "Ambassador Wine" featuring a portrait of Geoff Raby on the back of the train seat. Given that China's high-speed rail system is under the control of the national government, the prominence of this advertisement suggests a close relationship between Raby and the Chinese government. It is not surprising that he highlighted this connection in a report for ABC Australia2 on November 4, 2020, emphasizing the importance for Australia to strategize in the face of a world increasingly dominated by China.
Over the years, I've encountered various challenges, and confronting the societal darkness often weighs heavily on my heart. In moments of recurring despair, the resounding words of the Hong Kong people serve as a powerful awakening: "It is not because there is hope that we fight, but because of the fight, there is hope!"
On June 4, 2019, I participated in the June 4th candlelight rally in Victoria Park, Hong Kong. As someone who once resided in Beijing, my most profound sentiment during that event was a deep sense of remorse for myself in the face of the resilience demonstrated by the people of Hong Kong.
I've come across several reports regarding the Geoff Raby Collection exhibition, and I've noticed a consistent error in the identification of one of my works from 2005. Contrary to the initial information I provided to the exhibition, wherein I specified the title as "Open Fire," all the reports have inaccurately referred to it as "Dialogue."
During the exhibition's opening ceremony at the Bendige Art Gallery of La Trobe University in Victoria, Claire Roberts, a professor at the University of Melbourne, brought the misnaming to my attention. She observed that my work, "Open Fire," was displayed with the incorrect title, "Dialogue."
Upon learning of the mistake, I promptly asked Claire Roberts to convey my request to the curator for correction. Despite these efforts, subsequent newspaper and video reports continue to erroneously refer to the artwork as "Dialogue," instead of its accurate title, "Open Fire."
"Dialogue" stands as a relatively well-known piece, making it improbable that Geoff Raby is unfamiliar with its prominence. The perplexity arises as to why he chose to misname it. This incident has led me to question his diligence as a scholar, as it appears that basic details about the artwork may not hold significance for him. Consequently, the credibility of his statements comes under scrutiny.
On China Global Network3 on November 27, 2020, Geoff Raby unequivocally declared, "I am a realist, and I always believe that interests will eventually prevail (我是一个现实主义 者，我始终相信利益终将占据上⻛)." While this may constitute his life philosophy, Raby's misstep lies in applying a businessman's logic to art. Such an approach, I believe, prevents him from comprehending artists like myself. Art transcends mere external form; it serves as a cornerstone for shaping an individual's perception and understanding of the world. In my view, an artist must inherently possess both attitude and stance.
The introduction to the forthcoming exhibition at the National Art School Gallery in Sydney states: “Together they address diverse contemporary themes ranging from urban life, Chinese philosophy, and cultural difference, to social justice, human rights, and nationhood.” It is noteworthy that Geoff Raby, who has expressed admiration for a totalitarian system, is now discussing social justice and human rights. This discrepancy has left me somewhat perturbed. Consequently, I have chosen not to attend in exhibition- related activities of the Geoff Raby collection exhibition.
Xiao Lu
16th January 2024 in Sydney
1 People's Daily Online：http://world.people.com.cn/n1/2019/1224/c1002-31520877.html
2 ABC Australia：https://www.abc.net.au/chinese/2020-11-04/australia-china-relations-power-shift-as-new-superpower-rises/12847614
3 China Global Network：https://world.huanqiu.com/article/40rkZ5T70jp