Discover the hidden story of Chinese herbal medicine in new exhibition
The rich benefits and heritage of Chinese herbal medicine will be showcased in an upcoming exhibition "Chinese Materia Medica: The Hidden Story of Healing Plants", taking place at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney from 6-20 July 2023.
The free event, to be officially launched by Western Sydney University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Barney Glover AO on Saturday 8 July, includes informative workshops and immersive experiences bringing the world of Chinese herbal medicine to life.
The exhibition is proudly hosted by the Chinese Medicine Centre, an international collaboration between Western Sydney University and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.
Professor Xiaoshu Zhu, Co-Director of Chinese Medicine Centre, said the exhibition will show a diverse audience the wisdom and holistic approach of Chinese medicine.
“For thousands of years, herbal medicine has played an integral part in our health and well-being, standing the test of time and offering solutions to our health concerns in the modern context as well,” said Professor Zhu.
“We are so proud to be able to take people on a fascinating journey through time and share age-old wisdom, captivating stories, and balanced healing methods no matter your background.
“We are also proud to be innovative for the design of the exhibition, working closely with our colleague Dr Katrina Sandbach and her students as well as an external professional design company, are able to present the blend of traditional Chinese medicine with visual art to the public.”
Dr Katrina Sandbach, from the University’s School of Humanities and Communication Arts, said intricate botanical illustrations and videos add to the multi-faceted exhibition.
With displays of Chinese herbs and beautiful visuals throughout, people attending the event can gain insight into the traditional specimens and contemporary applications for chronic conditions, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and other traditional therapies,” said Dr Sandbach.
Visiting scholar from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Co-Director of the Chinese Medicine Centre, Dr Kang Wang encourages people to enjoy the range of activities on offer throughout the exhibition including Chinese language workshops, amongst other culturally rich activities.
“We will have demonstrations every day from different performers of traditional Tai Chi and Baduanjin in the serene garden setting and you can experience the fusion of art and Chinese philosophy by three-time Archibald Prize finalist, Dapeng Liu,” said Dr Wang.
Budding herbalists can take on the quest to discover a variety of Chinese herbs cleverly hidden in the gardens, and for every successful find, there will be a bookmark set to have as a keepsake.
“Whether you’re a wellness enthusiast, healthcare professional, or just curious about complementary and alternative health, this exhibition presented by a team from the Chinese Medicine Centre and other university institutes has something for you,” said Professor Zhu.
“Exploring the enlightening exhibits will equip you with practical knowledge and skills in this field.”
The Chinese Medicine Centre, associated with the University’s School of Health Sciences, has collaborated with the School of Humanities and Communication Arts, NICM Health Research Institute and Institute for Australian and Chinese Arts and Culture, along with other external partners, to create their first ever exhibition.
Click here (opens in a new window) for more information regarding the exhibition.
ENDS
3 July 2023
Photo credit: Sally Tsoutas
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