A new exhibition has combined culture and queer identities together into gorgeous collages that now decorate Ethel Hayton Walkway.
Key points:
- Interwoven: Queerness and Culture is the new exhibition in the Ethel Hayton Walkway
- Artist Eren Maltby collaborated with Jes R.R. Alexander and Charlii Moussa to create and digitise the collages
- Local participants used the art to express how their cultural and queer identities mix and meld together
‘Interwoven: Queerness and Culture’ shines a light on a section of the local community that is often underrepresented, exploring issues of identity, pride and joy through bright colourful collages.
These artworks were created through workshops facilitated by local artist Eren Maltby in collaboration with Jes R.R. Alexander and Charlii Moussa. At the workshops, local community members engaged in discussions, participated in photoshoots and assembled art using provided materials.
Eren, who has been involved in Culture Mix and other Council programs, was excited to bring their passion for creativity and working with community together for this project, describing the process as a wonderful experience.
“You might not notice it right away when you look, but I see all these beautiful stories (in the works). I’ve been given a great privilege, and taken great care to put them all together,” they said.
“We had so many amazing discussions about the overlap between identities, the kinds of questions people ask you, the conflicts and struggles, and especially the joy of embracing your whole self.”
Joy was a theme that resonated strongly with the participants, which Eren’s bright sparkly materials were well suited to help express.
“It was nice being able to add my own touch with the art and materials, finding ways to incorporate everyone’s favourite colours, and putting elements of thread throughout the corners to emphasise that interwovenness,” they said.
“With this artwork you can see Phoung going through her different periods of life going from where she had to hide her queer identity, to the final panel where you can see she’s living an absolutely joyous authentic life.
“That’s what this exhibition is about, being all parts of yourself, bringing them together and living your life.”
Interwoven is the latest installation in the Ethel Hayton Walkway, a popular laneway near Lower Crown Street that regularly hosts temporary exhibitions as part of our Public Art Strategy initiatives.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown warmly welcomed the new addition.
“This collection of art is both an important representation of our community members and representative of Council’s ongoing commitment to showcasing local excellence,” she said.
“Everyone has a little creative spark inside and projects like this, like Culture Mix and our upcoming Sculpture in the Garden Wollongong, encourage that spark to ignite and inspire others. The spectrum of human experience is wide and beautiful, and it’s great to see some of that captured for people to observe, absorb and enjoy.”
