Myths have endured for thousands of years because they continue to evolve, reflecting the fears, aspirations and questions of every generation. While modern life is increasingly shaped by technology, the stories that once explained the unknown remain remarkably relevant, offering new ways to explore identity, belief and the human experience.
White Rabbit Gallery’s latest exhibition, Black Myth, examines how these ancient narratives continue to resonate in a rapidly changing world, revealing the enduring power of myth through the lens of contemporary Chinese art.
Inspired by the global success of the 2024 video game Black Myth: Wukong, itself a bold reinterpretation of the literary classic Journey to the West, the exhibition draws upon one of China’s greatest cultural touchstones.
Widely regarded as a masterpiece of Chinese literature, Journey to the West follows the monk Tang Sanzang and his extraordinary companions – the irrepressible Monkey King Sun Wukong, the pig-faced Zhu Bajie and the steadfast Sha Wujing – as they undertake an epic pilgrimage in search of sacred Buddhist scriptures.
Filled with spirits, demons, mythical creatures and immortal beings, the tale has captivated audiences for centuries and continues to inspire new generations of artists and storytellers.
Echoing this legendary pilgrimage, Black Myth explores the idea of the journey in its many forms. Physical travel, spiritual transformation, inner reflection and imagined futures intertwine throughout the exhibition, inviting audiences to consider the ways myth can illuminate both personal and collective experience.
Rather than simply revisiting familiar legends, the featured artists reinterpret them through contemporary perspectives, creating works that speak as much to the present as they do to the past.
Bringing together more than 40 artists from the White Rabbit Collection, the exhibition showcases an extraordinary breadth of artistic practice. Sun Xun constructs immersive worlds through intricate woodcuts and expressive ink painting, while Zong Ning transforms ancient folklore using photography and everyday materials.
Hou Chun-Ming blends Daoist mythology with irreverent humour, creating raw and provocative figures that challenge convention while embracing centuries-old philosophical traditions.
Curated by David Williams, Black Myth is the 33rd exhibition presented by White Rabbit Gallery and charts a symbolic passage from the shadowy depths to moments of illumination. Collectively, the artists suggest that transformation is rarely straightforward; instead, it is through confronting uncertainty, fear and darkness that new understanding can emerge.
“It is a real thrill to present Black Myth where the artworks selected reflect over 25 years of collecting. Presenting the early works is like re-connecting with old friends and finding that that special bond has never been broken… and never will be,” said Founder and Director of the Gallery, Dr Judith Neilson AM.
By placing timeless stories alongside contemporary artistic expression, Black Myth demonstrates that mythology is far more than a relic of the past. It remains a living language through which artists can question inherited beliefs, navigate an increasingly complex world and imagine new possibilities.
In an era defined by rapid technological change, Black Myth offers a compelling reminder that some of humanity’s oldest stories still possess the power to surprise, unsettle and ultimately lead us towards the light.
Black Myth
White Rabbit Gallery, 30 Balfour Street, Chippendale (Sydney)
Exhibition continues to 8 November 2026
Free entry
For more information, visit: www.whiterabbitcollection.org for details.
Images: Installation view of Black Myth at White Rabbit Gallery – photo by Hamish McIntosh | Fu Xiaotong 付小桐, Spiritual Mountain, 2015, Xuan paper, 380 x 656 cm, image courtesy of the Artist and the White Rabbit Collection – photo by Hamish McIntosh | Hou Chun-Ming 侯俊明, Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, 2008, cardboard relief printing plates, 14 pieces, installed 210 x 700 cm, image courtesy of the Artist and the White Rabbit Collection – photo by Hamish McIntosh | Qiu Xiaofei 仇晓飞, Cakravada Mountain 2, 2007, fibreglass, acrylic paint, red light, sound, 9 pieces, dimensions variable, image courtesy of the Artist and the White Rabbit Collection – photo by Hamish McIntosh