Refugees is a landmark exhibition which brings together works by 22 world-renowned artists who share a refugee background. Important works by these high profile artists have never before been seen in Western Sydney. 

Khadim Ali, Frank Auerbach, Christian Boltanski, Yosl Bergner, Judy Cassab, Marc Chagall, Max Ernst, Lucian Freud, Mona Hatoum, Ludwig Hirschfeld Mack, Guo Jian, Anish Kapoor, Inge King, Dinh Q. Lê, Nalini Malani, Helmut Newton, Yoko Ono, Aida Tomescu, Danila Vassilieff, Ai Wei Wei, Ah Xian and Anne Zahalka.

Drawing upon the past 120 years of artistic practice, across a number of continents and conflicts, the exhibition and associated public programs will give a voice to asylum seekers and refugees. 

Over 65 works gathered from major public and private collections across Australia including painting, sculpture, photography, video, ceramic, textile, installation and print will be presented together with new works by Australian artists Guo Jian and Ah Xian, commissioned for the exhibition.

By bringing together works by these artists, this show provides a context to discuss the plight of refugees around the world and address the lack of compassion that has been shown in this country towards those seeking asylum.

As the leading contemporary art facility for South Western Sydney, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre is best placed to stage an exhibition of this kind. The gallery is located in one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas in the country, with 40% of the population born overseas and over 150 languages spoken.

The exhibition will be an opportunity for Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre to advocate for and empower the refugees in our local area, as a key to creating social change.

Banner Image: Dinh Q. Lê, Erasure (Still #1) 2011, C-type print dry mounted on board. Edition 1/3
120 x 180 cm (image), 130.5 x 191 cm (framed). The Gene & Brian Sherman Collection, Sydney 

A robust program of public events will be presented in conjunction with the exhibition including education workshops, community projects, film screenings and the inaugural Art & Refugees Forum.