Tatalita

This work is a collaborative design from Maria Thaddea, Penny Zhang and Chenxi (Hilda) Zhang who are emerging young artists. This design is rooted in the artists’ respective cultural backgrounds and is an exploration of the intricate connections between identity, nature, and culture.

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Tatalita depicts New Year babies (年画娃娃) riding a dragon paper cut-out (剪紙). The imagery of the babies symbolizes the offspring and new generations of the community, aligning with concepts of hope, future, and forward-looking energy. Representing the 2024 Lunar New Year of the Wood Dragon and drawing from Hurstville’s historical ties to the wood industry, including timber-getters and charcoal-burners, a baby holds a wooden log. The others hold a goldfish and lantern in reference to Hurstville’s current culturally rich scene, and are symbols of hope and prosperity.

The artists have incorporated these historical elements as significant symbols in their design, showcasing the suburb’s evolution, as well as painting them in the colours of the Georges River Council logo to further tie the piece geographically.