About the artwork

Curated in collaboration with West Space, MAV: Kaleidoscope reflects a depth and range of culturally diverse artists, illuminating their stories, contexts, styles, and techniques across genres while examining light as an idea.

The centrepiece, Shama (The Flame), by TextaQueen is from her series 'Bollywouldn't'. A candle glows in Shama’s belly, tempting moths towards her in a contemplation of birth, re-birth and anticipation of motherhood. Priyanka Jain’s work responds to the interaction of digging in exposing microbes of the deep, reminding us that everything is inextricably connected and yet unconnected, while Twilight Black Cockatoos by Stacey Edwards represents leaving her past behind and, like a bird, flying to new places and new experiences. Jenny Zhe Chang’s work, photographed by Ruben Fino, symbolises sharing and offering solace for those in pursuit of a better life, while Elif Sezen experiments with the concept of light on landscapes, encouraging healing and integration.

You, the viewer, are invited to move beyond the threshold of constructed social systems, and expand into the joy of nature and the cosmos.

About the artist

For 50 years, MAV (Multicultural Arts Victoria) has been committed to making sure culturally diverse artists and artforms are recognised and valued.

MAV caters for diverse creatives and their communities through a range of culturally responsive programming, services and advocacy. The organisation aims to transform The Arts by creating exceptional, meaningful work that fights back against intolerance and injustice, connecting us through creativity and reflecting who we truly are as a society.