An evocative, research-themed art exhibition that is set to grow as it travels interstate and overseas will open at USC’s main campus at Sippy Downs this week.

The exhibition, called ‘Time maps: mapping Chinese and Indigenous Histories and Geographies in Doctoral Education’, features drawings by students from various cultures depicting their research journeys to date.

It is a collaborative project involving academics and students from USC, RMIT Melbourne, Western Sydney University and the University of Queensland.

It will be on display at USC from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday until 26 July, before travelling to Melbourne and the Chinese cities of Changchun and Beijing – gaining further exhibits as it progresses through these locations.

Professor of Education Research Catherine Manathunga said the project had been funded by an Australia China Council research grant from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“The exhibition aims to improve the transcultural research capabilities of supervisors and HDR (higher degree by research) candidates and build collaboration between Australia and China,” she said.

“It features time maps of doctoral research supervisors and candidates exploring the impact of their histories, geographies and cultural knowledge on their research and supervision.

“The exhibition showcases an insightful and intriguing selection of artwork and is complemented by an engaging and experiential digital display with audio narratives from the artists themselves.

“The project has allowed the students to tell quite powerful stories about themselves and about their parents and grandparents. These include stories of migration, war, discrimination, colonialisation, change, survival, faith and religion, energy, language and cultural revival, growth, inspiration, the power of Country and community.

“Their drawings feature cultural symbols and images of what has brought them to do research in the first place.”