The voyages of the Ming dynasty admiral Zheng He (1371-1432) are a historical conundrum. In 1404 Zheng He was ordered by the Ming dynasty Yongle emperor (reigned 1403-24) to lead some 27.000 men to form an armada that would explore the world. In the 28 years that followed, Zheng He made seven voyages, weighing anchor at many different ports and covering a distance of 160.000 nautical miles – the equivalent of circumnavigating the world three times.
    Zheng He made his first voyage nearly 100 years before Christopher Columbus (c 1451-1506) and Vasco da Gamma (c 1460-1524), over 100 years before Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) circumnavigated the world, and more than James Cook (1728-79) ‘discovered’ Australia. Such remarkable voyages and of such significance, but to what end? Why did the voyages suddenly stop and, later, why did information about them all but disappear? Can the voyages have been forgotten? Is it any wonder they are shrouded in mystery?
     It may be that these historical events have no special significance. Nor are they want really interest me. Here, I am concerned with re-editing history, taking fragmentary symbols and images and rearranging them. It is my aim to create a new aesthetic experience resulting from the combining of history and art.

    Today, we live in the world in which it is impossible to escape from nervous tension, feelings of anxiety, lack of security and the treat of terrorism. I hope that this exhibition will inspire visitors to remember all that is wondrous about life and encourage them to reflect on shared experience. The world is full of beauty and of things that hold a strange fascination. We, who come from different cultural backgrounds, need to better understand one another, connect with one another and seek friendships with one another. It is imperative that we find a shared set of values to ensure our survival.

Translated by Claire Roberts

Senior Curator

Asian Decorative Arts and Design