As part of Chinese New Year, Ken Leanfore is putting on a photography exhibition that explores Chinese-Australians living with last names that were anglicised generations earlier.
The Leanfore family first came to Australia in the 1890s from China, but at the time, their name was Luen Foh. The name was phonetically translated by NSW officials to Leanfore and it’s been like that ever since.
Leanfore himself is a Sydney-based photographer who has previously worked with Cancer Council Australia, EMI Music and the National Gallery Of Australia.
His new photographic portrait series explores stories of Australians with similar ancestry to himself and the impact anglicised surnames have on their identity.
What’s In A Surname?is showing at the Klei Gallery in Albion Place until Friday February 10 as part of the Sydney Chinese New Year Festival.
