1 March 2006

The Shepparton Art Gallery, in conjunction with the SheppARTon Festival, is proud to present, And everyone was an optimist, an exhibition of artworks by Kate Durham.

Ms Durham’s artwork probes deeply into the experience of refugees in detainment camps and in particular has investigated the sinking of the SIEV X boat on 19 October 2001. This incident occurred when an overloaded boat carrying approximately 400 asylum seekers sunk in Australian waters. Of the 353 people who drowned, most were women and children.

The signature work in Kate’s exhibition consists of a collection of 20cm square paintings, each depicting one of the people who died that night. The exhibition is dedicated to Amal Basry, a survivor of the SIEV X tragedy.

“Kate’s exhibition raises our attention to the plight of these women and children, who were desperately trying to join their husbands and fathers who had already obtained refugee protection in Australia,” explains Kirsten Lacy, Curator of the Shepparton Art Gallery.

In addition to Kate’s work addressing the sinking of the SIEV X, in 2001 she established Spare Rooms for Refugees, a project to provide community accommodation for asylum seekers.  Additionally, in August 2002 Kate assisted BBC Correspondent with the Pacific Solution program. Kate and an undercover journalist entered and filmed the detention camps in Nauru with secret cameras. The footage they took formed the basis of a film, which was has until now screened on BBC worldwide but not in Australia.

This film is screening as part of the SheppARTon Festival and provides a unique opportunity to learn about the kind of experiences refugees in our community may have had.

Kate’s exhibition is to be opened by local Shepparton resident Shahrezi Hussaini. Shahrezi is an Afghani boy who was detained for three and half years in detention facilities in Nauru. The opening is an alcohol free event and is observant of Iraqi and Afghani customs. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Opening Address: Shahrezi Hussaini, Afghani boy, three and a half years detained in Nauru
Opening: 4.00pm Saturday 4 March
At: Shepparton Art Gallery, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton VIC 3630
RSVP: by Wednesday 1 March on 5832 9861.

Admission to the Shepparton Art Gallery is free and it is open seven days a week from 10.00am to 4.00pm. The gallery is located in the Eastbank Centre, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton, phone (03) 5832 9861.