The printed ground decal, which was unveiled on Thursday June 19, offers a striking visual reflection on identity, displacement, and resilience in one of Australia’s busiest public thoroughfares.
“Australia for UNHCR is delighted to partner with Atong Atem to celebrate World Refugee Day in such a visible, creative, and thought-provoking way,” said CEO, Trudi Mitchell.
“For the next week, thousands of people will see this stunning artwork on a grand scale. It is a powerful reminder of the different contributions refugees make to our communities, including as storytellers, artists, and advocates.”
Atong Atem was six years old when, with the support of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), she arrived in Australia with her family and settled on the NSW Central Coast. Her vivid artworks – created primarily with photography, video, and textiles – explore themes of identity and belonging, and challenge colonial representations.
“This partnership is quite a personal thing for me because my family was supported by UNHCR to come to Australia as refugees,” says Ms Atem.
“I love organisations that help people in need, especially those that are unable to advocate for themselves or are at the whim of the global limbo of politics.”
Three Women features three South Sudanese women, all with refugee backgrounds or a refugee experience. Atong Atem says the artwork presents the women in a way which doesn’t pity them or focus on the trauma of their situation – but acknowledges their current identity and how they’ve evolved from displacement.
“Having this work featured in such a prominent place in Sydney on World Refugee Day is such a big deal and I hope that when people come across it, they’re at the very least asking questions,” says Ms Atem.
“I hope that in some small way they’re able to challenge the idea of what a good or deserving refugee is. I think historically we’ve been told that refugees should only be welcome here because they have the potential to be, say, a doctor or a lawyer or something that we socially assign as extremely important. As an artist, it may be harder to see the tangible way I impact the world in which I live, but I think it’s there through conversation, philosophy, beautification and connection.”
The installation is timed to mark World Refugee Day on Friday 20 June, a day dedicated to honouring the strength, courage, and contributions of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict or persecution.
“Public art has a unique power to stop people in their tracks – to invite empathy, spark questions and shift perspectives,” said Ms Mitchell. “That’s what Atong’s work does, and we are so proud to help share it.”
Media enquiries and interview requests:
Australia for UNHCR CEO Trudi Mitchell and artist Atong Atem are available for interview upon request.
Kelsey Taylor | Senior Media & Communications Manager, Australia for UNHCR | [email protected] | +61 450 322 320
More about Australia for UNCHR
Australia for UNHCR supports vulnerable people fleeing conflict, disaster and persecution around the world.
As the UN Refugee Agency’s partner in Australia, we mobilise individuals, community groups and businesses to support refugees and displaced people. Together, we advocate and fundraise for refugee protection, emergency aid and long-term support.
More about Atong Atem
Atong Atem is an Ethiopian born, South Sudanese artist and writer living in Naarm/Melbourne. She works primarily with photography, video and textiles to explore migrant narratives as well as the concepts of home and identity. Atong has exhibited her work at the National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Portrait Gallery, Immigration Museum, Gertrude Contemporary and Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. She has also exhibited internationally at the Tate Modern, London, and Wereldmuseum, Rotterdam, and with PHOTO Australia at the Victoria and Albert Museum.