坚持不懈
Perseverance
A photographic series first exhibited at Newcastle Art Space, August 2024.
Accompanying essay written by Ella Paterson in conversation with Lily Chen.
Earlier this year, I was contacted by an old friend and commissioned for a photo project documenting an incredibly significant moment for her family. Her parents, Kam and Francis, were in the middle of selling the business they had built up over the last 30 years of their lives, a Chinese restaurant in a quiet suburb on the shores of Lake Macquarie that, although quaint and humble, has garnered the utmost importance within its community and, as I was assured, is a pillar for community connection.
When I visited myself, on the last day the family had access to the building before the new owners took over, I began to understand how and why this Chinese restaurant in suburban Australia had had an impact on so many lives, and that came down to the pure and inspiring work ethic, dedication, and sacrifice of Kam, Francis, Beth (the carer who helped raise their children while they spent their days working at the restaurant), and the entire Chen family. It was an honour to meet and spend time with them, and the emotions in the air that morning were high. It was evident to me that this was something exceptional.
I reached out to my friend and their daughter to ask if they would be comfortable with me sharing some of these photos, along with their story, with the world through this exhibition. I hope that these photos can be a vehicle to highlight a truly remarkable life's journey.
Kam and Francis Chen embarked on their journey with the kind of resolve that only comes from deep dreams and hope. Their story began in Malaysia, where they were born, and in their early years, where Kam laboured in a rubber plantation and Francis worked tirelessly in various trades. They sought a brighter future, and Francis made the courageous decision to move to Australia in 1982, followed by Kam in 1990, driven by the promise of a better life for themselves and their future children.
Their new beginning took them to a flat on Newcastle’s Beaumont St, where Francis, unable to transfer his electrician qualifications, took a job in a kitchen. After some time working for other people, they moved to pursue their goal of their own business and invested their hopes (and the last of their money) in buying a restaurant in Old Bar, a small community near Taree where Kam took her first steps into learning English, thanks to the generosity of a regular customer who offered her free lessons.
But this path was far from smooth. Legal troubles related to the previous restaurant owners forced them to return to Malaysia with their young daughter, a setback that left them disheartened. Their immigrant dream seemed to be crumbling, and for 3 months, they grappled with the reality of their situation. Yet, the encouragement of their families spurred them to give it one more try. They worked and saved all their money and eventually had the means to return to Australia and give it another shot.
In 1994, they discovered a business for sale in Rathmines, NSW, and poured the last of their savings from their time in Malaysia into this new venture. They meticulously observed the business for a week, scrutinising its potential as if their future depended on it—which, in reality, it did. With Kam still mastering English and Francis steadfastly committed, they took a leap of faith.
Their journey was marked by immense sacrifice and resilience. Francis endured a broken leg, Bell’s palsy—an alarming health scare where he thought he might have a stroke. He continued to work through these trials, even performing his duties with impaired vision after eye surgery, relying on the sheer muscle memory he had gained from his many years of kitchen experience. Kam, too, faced personal challenges, including a serious aneurysm, but the restaurant remained open without missing a single day, a testament to their unwavering dedication.
Over the years, they built more than just a business; they became integral to the community, a beacon of perseverance and hard work in suburban Australia that has not always been known to be welcoming to immigrants. Their restaurant became a cherished cornerstone of Rathmines, where they fostered deep relationships with their patrons, who came to see them not just as service providers but as dear friends—bringing along generations of their families to continue being regular customers at the restaurant over their 30 years in service. Using this space to celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries, or a comfort meal and a familiar face in hard times.
The final day of their tenure at the restaurant was charged with emotion. The photos from that day capture not just the end of an era but the profound impact Kam and Francis had on their community—a reflection of their incredible journey and the indelible mark they left on the lives they touched.
Written by Ella Paterson in conversation with Lily Chen
Special Thanks to Hari, Lily, Francis, Kam, Esa, and Beth.
