Asking The Heavens - Portrait of Qu Yuan
Artist
Rocky SS Wong
Date2001
Object number00033513
NamePainting
MediumWatercolour on paper
Dimensions425 x 305 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis watercolour painting entitled "Asking The Heavens - Portrait of Qu Yuan" was painted by Rocky S S Wong in 2001. According to legend, Qu Yuan (340 - 278 BC), the exiled political advisor and poet, threw himself into the Miluo River in southern China in despair at the fall of his beloved kingdom of Chu. Hearing of this, people raced out in their dragon boats beating drums, throwing rice into the water and splashing it with paddles to stop the river dragon and fish eating his body. The dragon boat racing festival has been held every year since.HistoryThe Dragon Boat Festival is a Chinese tradition dating from 278 BC. Held traditionally on the fifth day of the lunar month, to commemorate the death of China's great poet and political advisor Qu Yuan (340 - 278 BC), it combines Taoist principles and elements of dragon worship.
Qu Yuan threw himself into the Miluo River in southern China in 278 BC as a protest against official corruption in the Kingdom of Chu. Hearing of this, people raced out in their dragon boats beating drums, throwing rice into the water and splashing it with paddles to stop the river dragon and fish eating his body. The festival has been held every year since.
Rocky S S Wong was a painter and art tutor in China before coming to Australia in 1979. Finding it difficult to live off his art, he diversified his skills to work in events, mainly in the Chinese community. He has been part of the Australian Chinese dragon boat racing scene since it started, helping to organise the races, make decorations for the boats and repair damage to the boats.SignificanceThis contemporary watercolour painting is important in reflecting upon the history of dragon boat racing and its origins in ancient China. Dragon boat racing has become increasingly popular in Australia since the 1980s.
