Blue Dragons and Gateways
Redesigning and redecorating the gateways in Melbourne’s China Town is part of City of Melbourne and the Victoria Multicultural Commission’s $4 million capital injection targeting a range of improvements in cultural precincts.
The Melbourne School of Design’s Asian architecture specialist Associate Professor Qinghua Guo, in collaboration with research student Jia Xu, have completed decorative designs on the two Tianjing Garden entry poles. Named the Blue Dragon of the East, the poles were opened on Wednesday 13 May 2009 by the Premier John Brumby and form the Spring Street entrance to Little Bourke Street’s China Town.
Engaged by the Victoria Multicultural Commission, Associate Professor Guo designed the decorations using a dragon motif who’s colours are based on Chinese lacquer ware. Guo says that “the Blue Dragon of the East is one of the Four Deities of the four directions and is an auspicious animal providing protection to the people and climate”. Research student Jia Xu drew up the designs for implementation on the poles.
The Tianjing Garden entry poles form just part of the improvements planned for China Town. Redesign and refurbishment of the famous Chinese gateways in China Town will be gradually undertaken over the few years and along with Guo, other Melbourne School of Design staff will be involved in advising, designing and implementing these upgrades.
Important for urban decoration and as cultural symbols, these gateways have been the focus of renewal for some time with the Council receiving funding in 2007 to go ahead with research and design. Associate Professor Guo had previously advised the Council on the renovation of the gateway situated outside the Chinese Museum - a gift from Melbourne's sister city Nanjing so was an obvious choice for providing advice on the remaining gateways.