“Art encourages us to cherish intuition and creativity and to search constantly for new ideas; to find unorthodox ways of approaching contemporary issues. {Art can be} a point of contact that takes us beyond an us-and-them mentality to a broader idea of what constitutes we. This is one way that art can engage with the world to change the world.”
- Olafur Eliasson
The Problem:
The global refugee crisis is one of the most pervasive socio-political issues faced by our global community today. No society is untouched and no individual is unaffected by the ripple effects of displacement that results from conflict, grave abuse, environmental disaster and political oppression. Refugees and asylum seekers are those who search the world for equality, inclusion, and peace. It is our privilege in Australia to offer this kind of society to our global community. Unfortunately, however, xenophobic and exclusionary refugee policies often suggest otherwise, as does the racism and discrimination that exists within our communities.
- 79.3% of Australians recognise that racism exists within Australia
- 1 in 3 young Australians will experience racism in their lifetime
- Increasing reports of racial abuse and violence in public space in 2017
This needs to change - it is during these times of complexity, uncertainty and division - that the role of our art and our stories in bringing us together is more important than ever! One mural in shared public space, can impact the lives of tens of thousands of people, it can interrupt the every day with a meaningful and inspiring message. Imagine if that message was one of unity and diversity? Imagine the conversations that will start? The minds and hearts that will be affected?... and the social change that can follow.
In 2018 we need your help to achieve this...
- To paint 2 more community Welcome Walls in Western Sydney
- Create the first augmented reality social impact mural in Western Sydney
- Bring vital, inspiring and powerful art to the people and streets of Western Sydney
Welcome Walls is an community-driven artivism initiative that helps build cohesive, vibrant and inclusive communities through the co-design of powerful and inspiring large scale murals with local artists from refugee/migrant backgrounds and community members. We use a co-design process and augmented reality technology to amplify our message and create new experiences that encourage us to connect.
Theory of Change
If our community co-designs and co-creates collaborative public works of artivism that communicate inclusion then we will empower each other to be agents of change in combating racism, discrimination, and exclusion while actively shaping more inclusive communities
Artists: Sally Ann Conwell, Katherine Nelson, Sonali Sawant-Gawade, Anamika Kishore, Anuradha Jayaseelan, Devi Prasad, Smitha Pv, Latha Seeniraj, Neelima Sandeep
Our Objectives
1. Celebrate multiculturalism and diversity through inclusive public art and events
2. Build strong, resilient and cohesive communities throughout Greater Western Sydney
3. Create world class, high quality public art that reflects the community voice
4. Provide greater opportunities for professional artists from refugee/migrant backgrounds
5. Provide a platform for community engagement and cross-cultural understanding
6. Create safer and more creative public spaces to increase sense of belonging and ownership
Artivism {ar-tuh-vi-sm}
Noun 1. harnessing the power of creativity to bring about political, cultural or social change. A marrying of art and activism.
What we do...
We produce large-scale murals engage in a range of community-arts events and activities to tackle racism, discrimination, and social exclusion, beginning in GreaterWestern Sydney. Through our work and surveys, we have found;
- 72% agree that Welcome Walls has created a more inclusive community
- 65% agree that Welcome Walls has helped to combat racism, social exclusion, or discrimination
- 74% agree that Welcome Walls provides a new and unique way to bring people together
- 86% agree that Welcome Walls has provided greater access to the arts for communities in Western Sydney
With Community & For Community...
Communities are made up of both people and place. Art, particularly street art, coexists within the real and imagined spaces of a community. It defines and reflects the social and cultural fabric that is woven in these spaces, and provides constant opportunity to re-imagine and re-define our community. Animating public space with community art is the creation of dialogue and debate that is essential to a democracy and to true inclusion—spaces must provide a context through which all voices may be heard, and all opinions expressed in a manner that is creative, safe, and engaging. Welcome Walls is the result of combined & collaborative efforts of multiple organisations, businesses, communities and individuals.
In 2018, Refugee Arts Project will be joining the Welcome Walls family;
Big thanks to our partners in 2017...
Why Art?
Art is our universal language, art is a profoundly effective means of participation in community development and tool for social justice by bringing us closer to our humanity and to each other. We believe it is our most important tool in furthering our mission. It draws upon experiential and empathic knowledge in contrast to the rational, linear logic that may instead highlight our differences to drive us apart. Collaborative art projects require trust, inclusion, openness, and communicatin, and involve the cooperative navigation of core issues experienced by groups. Within the community, this translates to openness, resilience, and collective wellbeing, and inclusion. If we are to create and build a better world for young people, for all people, we must imagine it first!
Artists: Lotte Smith, Lily Keenan, Maryam Montazerolghaem, Jibriel Perez, Ashwa Al Kalmashi, Rooan Al Kalmashi and Liverpool Girls School Community.
Artists: Dan ‘Cydes’ Walton, Xander ‘Knoswet’ Zee, Mohanad Alghezi, Shubhangi Kapare, Sourosh Cina, Atefeh Hekmat
