For 17 years, the OzAsia Festival has showcased Asian and Asian Australian artists and introduced audiences to artistic works rarely seen on Australian stages. This ethos, at the heart of OzAsia Festival programming is exemplified by In Other Words, a writing and ideas program and recent addition to the festival, featuring Asian and Asian Australian writers and thinkers.

A very awesome feat, to have been going on for a long time and providing a platform and main stage for Asian and Asian Australian creatives and artists. At the helm of this festival for the past three years has been Annette Shun Wah (2020-2023) as the Artistic Director, but even before she took on the role she has consulted and advised the festival on many different aspects. Paving the way for the next generation , Annette Shun Wah will stay on as a Programming Director.

And now, let’s introduce Joon-Yee Kwok, who has the experience and expertise to take on the role as OzAsia Festival’s new Artistic Director. With a passion for presenting, celebrating, and supporting Asian Australian artists, culture, and communities, Joon-Yee initiated Brisbane City Council’s BrisAsia Festival, and is the founder and convener of the Australian Bureau of Asian Creatives, a network supporting and celebrating the work of Asian Australian artists.

“Who am I? Well I am the new Artistic Director for the OzAsia Festival and I am new to this role, but not new to the festival itself. Last year I was working with Annette Shun Wah who was the previous Artistic Director and was able to learn so much from her. I guess that goes without saying really considering her work over decades championing Asian Australian artists to get onto the main stage. So, it is an exciting time to take on this opportunity and creative lead”, Joon -Yee discussed in an interview with Being Asian Australian.

Taking on this big role is not an easy task. It requires meticulous planning, great teamwork, broad and diverse thinking – and this is something Joon-Yee hopes to continue doing and making the festival bigger and better. She plans to continue the great work left by giants such as Annette Shun Wah and continue the great legacy of this seventeen year old festival.

“I am excited ti be able to continue the work that the festival organisers and Annette started. You know, I grew up in a time where I was usually one of the only Asians in any activity and watching television back then – well hardly any Asian faces at all. It is due to people like Annette who started CAAP (Contemporary Asian Australian Performance) that faces like mine are seen and having taken part of CAAP’s programs and having been taught, mentored and guided by Annette, it is just an honour to be her friend and work with her”, Joon-Yee expressed.

The OzAsia Festival has recently been awarded a Creative Australia Asia Pacific Arts Award at an inaugural ceremony in Sydney. With a prize pool of $125,000 across five categories, the Asia Pacific Arts Awards recognise the work of remarkable Australian artists, organisations and groups connecting with the Asia Pacific, and promote continued engagement with the region. OzAsia Festival was recognised in the Connect category, for delivering an intersectional program to diverse audiences in Australia. For Joon-Yee, this is an important achievement and milestone as it further promotes the OzAsia Festival as an annual event which is a must go to and it advances the vision and message the festival wants to send to all attendees and all Australians.

“I think winning the award has been really affirming as it is national recognition for the work the festival has been doing in Australia as well as how it engages with artists and creatives in Asia. The other thing is how it acknowledges this space which the festival has created for Asian Australian voices as well. So in essence, the award raises our visibility on a national level and hopefully more Asian Australians will find us and get involved. We are a festival which engages with all our artists and creatives meaningfully and deeply and that is really what we are all about”.

Finally, the important question about the representation and visibility of Asian Australian artists and creatives in Australia. With all the negative narratives about Asian Australians stemming from history as well as current events – including COVID-19 racism, generic anti-Asian hate and the discussions around the growing influence of Mainland China has really exhausted, burned out and caused a lot of disheartening moments among the community. In saying that – the question about how festivals such as OzAsia can contribute to changing these negative narratives was posed to Joon-Yee.

“I think as a festival we exist as a focal point of celebration. So I think through celebration and celebrating both our similarities and differences is how we break through any and all negative racial issues and stereotypes. Regardless of what our cultural background is, we should be able to come together and celebrate and that can be achieved through showcasing creatives and artists from our community. Once we find this type of common ground, is only when we really can transcend past any and all differences”, Joon-Yee passionately stated.

OzAsia Festival 2024 runs from October 24 to November 10. The full OzAsia Festival program will be launched this July – keep an eye on ozasia.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au and @ozasiafestival on Facebook and Instagram.

Header Image provided by OzAsia Festival: (Noriko Tadano – Lucky Dumpling Market – OzAsia Festival 2021 – Photo Credit_ Xplorer Studio)