Creative Arts exhibition 'transforming perceptions'

Feb 06, 2007

A new exhibition at the University of Wollongong's Faculty of Creative Arts had brought together artists from Iraq, Pakistan and Australia to examine and celebrate cultural differences.

The multi-discipline exhibition, titled Transforming Perceptions Via..., focuses on the aftermath of Australia Day and how cultural differences are utilised to collapse 'them and us' attitudes in the community.

The exhibition runs until Thursday 22 February, when an official closing reception will be lead by distinguished political artist and curator, Professor Elizabeth Ashburn.

Arabic artist, Kahaled Sabsabi, offers an interesting insight into being an Australian in a society that is 'suspicious of cultural difference'.

Khaled's video works translate from one language to another with a strange mixture of uneasiness, and fear that questions what it means to be a hybrid artist and displaced self-living in Australia today.

Often reflecting the crisis regions and wounded societies of Lebanon that he is so familiar with, Khaled is a respected new media artist working in the politically charged territory of community media for social change and emancipation.

Admission is free to the exhibition, which is open Monday to Friday from 10am - 5pm.