The Art of Neighbourliness
Neighbour: It’s a word that evokes many different feelings and thoughts. It’s also the theme of You Belong’s upcoming Art Exhibition in February.
The exhibition is intended as a platform for participants to express their artistic interpretation of what neighbourliness means. Contributing artists will reflect on community, family, and friendship themes and explore important questions and ideas of home, neighbourhood, belonging, and co-existence from a variety of perspectives.
These themes are relevant to us all, but refugees experience particular challenges and opportunities as they seek to become part of new neighbourhoods in a new country. Differences in experience, culture, and language can alter the way refugees experience neighbourliness and can result in feelings of isolation.
How do we make new arrivals feel at home in the neighbourhood despite these differences? It is hoped that the exhibition will open the dialogue on this and other important questions.
Take part in a workshop
In the leadup to the exhibition, You Belong will be holding art workshops to offer refugee artists an opportunity to discover new techniques, enjoy the company and ideas of other like-minded artists, and have fun.
Earlier this month we hosted a workshop on painting with acrylics with local artist, Jen Skinner. It was well attended, and some seriously fabulous art was created.
We spoke to one of the participants, Rana, about the workshop.
Q. What did you like most about the workshop.
Rana: My favourite part of workshop is when we all work together as a team and we share our ideas with everyone.
Q. Did you make some art on the day?
Rana: Yes, we all made some art.
Q. What did you learn at the workshop that you found helpful?
Rana: We learned how to mix the colours together.
Q. Will you be entering the art exhibition: Neighbour?
Rana: Yes, I would love to enter You Belong Art Exhibition.
Q. What is your goal for the future, your dream?
Rana: My dream is to become a nurse.
How to get involved
Why not get involved in the Art Exhibition? There are lots of ways to participate.
Submit an artwork. Entries are welcome from all-comers. There’s an option to put your work up for sale at the event too -with a small commission going to You Belong
You can become an event sponsor. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, we’d love to hear from you. Please email rachael@ouebelong.org.au for details of sponsorships available.
Attend the exhibition or come along to the opening night on Feb 4.
Watch this space for news of upcoming workshops as well as the Exhibition and Opening Night.
