Come see the colours of the world

ARTWORKS and artefacts of various ethnic backgrounds have been brought to the Art Gallery of Ballarat to celebrate the municipality’s diversity.

The Colours of World Cultures exhibition opened on Thursday, 5 March at the Backspace Gallery, located at 15 Camp Street.

Consisting of original artworks and objects, artists have allowed their design to be inspired by their home culture and that of their new homeland, Australia.

Curator Magdalena Kazmierczack said she is happy to be able to share Ballarat’s various cultures in such an expressive way.

“This exhibition is about diversity and cultures of the world, so we invited local artists from diverse backgrounds to showcase artwork that means something to them or their culture,” she said.

This showing coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the COB’s Intercultural Ambassador Program, an initiative which seeks to welcome and embrace all cultures within the city.

Artworks have been contributed by past and present participants in the program, alongside some creative items from invited artists.

Ms Kazmierczack said there’s something to see from nearly every culture across the world.

“We have things on show from Chinese cultures, African, aboriginal Australian, Mexican, Indonesian, Philippine, Polish, Islamic cultures and even more,” she said.

The official opening event for the exhibition will be held on 14 March, starting at 3.30pm, aligning with the first day of the city’s Harmony Week celebrations.

The display will remain at the Backspace Gallery until 29 March.