Maitland Local Steffie Yee Brings Branxton Childhood to Life at Regional Gallery

newy.com.au – A vibrant and personal exhibition by local artist Steffie Yee is now on display at Maitland Regional Art Gallery, running until 24 August 2025. Titled Chinese Restaurant Playground, the exhibition reflects on Yee’s childhood experiences growing up in her family’s Chinese restaurant in Branxton, New South Wales.

The show combines stop-motion animation, drawings, family memorabilia and nostalgic items to portray everyday life behind the restaurant counter. A looping animated film forms the centrepiece, bringing to life vivid memories such as rollerblading through the dining area, drumming on cookware and observing customers at mealtimes.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery Deputy Director Courtney Novak said the exhibition provides “a rare and heartfelt insight into the experiences of Chinese-Australian families in regional areas”. She added, “Beyond its playful memories, Chinese Restaurant Playground delves into themes of migration, resilience and cultural identity, capturing both the joy and significance of Yee’s upbringing.”

One standout artwork, Wok, features an oversized sculptural wok suspended in mid-air. According to the artist, the piece reflects the heat and energy of the kitchen, while acknowledging the contribution of migrant families whose restaurants are vital parts of regional communities.

“Growing up in my parents’ restaurant, I saw it as both a family business and a second home,” said Yee. “Through animation and archival materials, I wanted to share the story of my childhood as a Malaysian-Chinese kid in Branxton.”

The exhibition also includes Yee’s original storyboards, vintage menus and local oral histories, all of which aim to share the often-overlooked narratives behind Chinese restaurants in country towns. “A Chinese restaurant is often seen as an aesthetic, not a place filled with real stories and people,” Yee said. “It’s important to humanise these spaces and go beyond the novelty.”

As part of the program, visitors can join a free guided tour with the artist followed by a special in-conversation event featuring comedian Jennifer Wong and guest Danny Yam on Saturday 26 July. Bookings are required and can be made via the gallery’s website.