Zou Mat Je (做乜嘢) is a new multilingual zine from a group of Cantonese-speaking writers and artists. Zou Mat Je explores what it means to be part of the Cantonese diaspora, to be connected to and part of many cultures around the world. It hopes to broach our complex negotiations with colonialism, imperialism, and cosmopolitanism, in a way that allows for both critical reflection and healing.
Zou Mat Je seeks to promote the creative and critical works of Cantonese artists and writers, and to showcase their talent, experiences, and expressions of self. In this zine, we also hope readers find moments of joy, humour, and contemplation, as they share this journey with us.
The Zou Mat Je team currently consists of Sarah Yeung, Claudia Yang, Gok-Lim Finch, Johnny Doan, Desmond Tan, Nathan Tang, Stephanie Lai and Alina Tang. We are artists, writers and researchers based in Boorloo (Perth, Australia) on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, in Naarm/Birraranga (Melbourne, Australia) on Kulin country, on Treaty 13, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Mississaugas of the New Credit territory, Tkarón:to (Toronto, Canada), and in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Zou Mat Je is a project formed by settlers on stolen Whadjuk Noongar land. We pay our respects to elders past and present, and extend solidarity and friendship and hope for a future where all are afforded justice, dignity, and peace. Always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
Zou Mat Je 係成立係 Bibbulmum 族Whadjuk Noongar人民嘅土地上。我地向佢地以前、而家同將來嘅長老，同埋所有原族住民致敬。我地確認佢地從來都冇放棄過主權，所以呢道一直都係，同永遠都會係 Aboriginal 嘅土地。
Zou Mat Je 係成立係 Bibbulmum 族Whadjuk Noongar人民嘅土地上。我地向佢地以前、而家同將來嘅長老，同埋所有原族住民致敬。我地確認佢地從來都冇放棄過主權，所以呢道一直都係，同永遠都會係 Aboriginal 嘅土地。
Artwork logo by Alina Tang
Website curation by Claudia Yang