Art exhibition explores the impact of homelessness

An immersive art exhibition and community project exploring housing insecurity, homelessness and displacement is now on view at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery.

Fraser Coast Regional Councillor David Lewis said Hervey Bay School of Displacement was developed in response to the housing crisis confronting the Fraser Coast and many communities nationwide.

“The exhibition takes the form of a giant tent installation and a multi-channel immersive audio experience, with gallery visitors invited to tune into the perspectives of members of our community affected by the housing crisis,” he said.

“The tent pavilion acts as a space to share stories, connect and build resilience together.”

Cr Lewis said the exhibition was previously staged in Redfern, North Melbourne and Newcastle, with internationally renowned Sydney-based artist Keg de Souza developing a site-specific project for the Fraser Coast.

“The exhibition will be activated with a series of talks drawing on the theme of ‘displacement’, from housing insecurity to natural disaster resilience to the displacement of other species as our need for new homes grows,” he said.

The exhibition is being presented in partnership with HBNC, a leading community services provider in the region. Through HBNC, about a dozen community members were interviewed for inclusion in the exhibition.

HBNC CEO Tanya Stevenson said collaborative projects that combine art with a message are a crucial avenue for building connections and increasing empathy in our community.

“While HBNC is not a specialised homelessness services provider, many community members who are doing it tough access our services, attend our weekly free community meal, Comfort Kitchen, and pick up essentials donated to the Bless Box,” she said.

“The Christmas period is typically a difficult time for many people, and this year is no different with the rising costs of living and increasing number of people affected by housing insecurity.

“I hope that through this exhibition, people feel compelled to support crucial services in the region or even to respond with empathy and care to those doing it tough in the community.”

Cr Lewis said while homelessness and housing services were a State Government responsibility, Council was continually advocating for more support from higher levels of government and working proactively with community and social services providers to assist those in need.

“Council’s Community Development team works with locally based homelessness support groups, and Council recently provided land to a community housing project to support their State Government funding application,” he said.

“We also have a range of resources available on our website at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/community-resources including the ‘Just in Case Card’, which provides local information specifically to homelessness and emergency need contacts.

“We appreciate this can be a difficult and confronting issue, and Council will continue to advocate for the needs of the most vulnerable in our community while acknowledging the complexities of homelessness.”

The Hervey Bay School of Displacement exhibition is officially launched at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, 166 Old Maryborough Road, Pialba tonight (Friday 24 November 2023) alongside a new exhibition by Hervey Bay-raised artist Michael Cook.

Entry to the gallery is free and both exhibitions continue over the summer until 4 February 2024.

More information about the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery is available at https://hbrg.ourfrasercoast.com.au/