Discover stories of trials and triumph in Settled/Unsettled

True stories of trials and triumphs from those who now call Australia home are told in Settled/Unsettled, on at Canberra Museum and Gallery until 25 June. The exhibition brings awareness to the issues faced by Australia’s asylum seekers, refugees and migrants through the powerful medium of the visual arts.

The striking works originally came together through Sydney-based Czechoslovakian artist, Kathrin Longhurst. She enlisted other artists to create a body of work that would allow people to gain a deeper understanding of what people coming to Australia experience.

Before going on display in Canberra, the exhibition received a makeover from CMAG Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections, Rebecca Richards. With an aim of evoking feelings of outrage and celebration, the curator wanted to show different perspectives – not just one story but the stories of many new Canberrans.

“The city was built by migrants who contribute so much to the life of the city. There are young people grappling with the guilt of having parents who sacrificed everything for them, who are trying to find their place as they belong to multiple cultures, and who are justifiably so proud of their heritage,” says Ms Richards.

Using a widely accessible medium, she says one aim of the exhibition is to spark conversation amongst those who may not know much about the refugee, migrant, or asylum seeker experience. She wanted to delve deeper into preconceived or stereotypical ideas that people may have, while acknowledging Australia’s long-standing multicultural history.

“With First Nations People occupying the country for over 60,000 years in markedly distinct groups, there is so much prejudice embedded within Australia’s history; the White Australia Policy was around until the mid-1970s. We need to be better with the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers,” she says.

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A beautiful, seductive and subversive exhibition ...

SASHA GRISHIN, The Canberra Times