HERE, OUT AT THE WEST, 2023

Laneway Gallery, Laverton & Civic Centre, Altona

The project Here, Out at the West reflects Melbourne West's cultural and demographical picture, its people, and their everyday story. This multimedia project contains five digital images and one video projection with installation work depicting the West's diverse community and their daily lives.

The Western suburbs of Melbourne are one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse communities; for instance, Point Cook has been recognised as Australia's number one Multicultural community, according to the 2021 census. Yet, has this multiculturalism been replicating in our social construct, especially when it comes to representation? 

Despite living in a so-called multicultural society, I often question where my position is in this cliche multiculturism. Is my existence and culture recognised and represented in the Australian social landscape? Does this cliche speak to my everyday struggle as a first-generation immigrant with skin colour? Not to forget, this is a stolen land by the White Anglo settlers. Historically, Indigenous and First Nation people of this stolen land have been systematically and unlawfully left invisible, as if they were just a memory of the past. Inevitably, non-Anglo, non-White immigrants are too invisible, unseen and unheard within the current contemporary social context. Ironically, multicultural communities are considered a source of vote bank by politicians of all walks but fail to represent multiculturalism in the social discourse and landscape.