Introduction to You’re Welcome?

Transcript

You’re Welcome?

Curated by Billy Bain  
Featuring Serwah Attafuah, Mostafa Azimitabar, Billy Bain, Gosha Heldtz, Jacquie Meng, and Heath Nock 

The exhibition dates are 23 January to 28 March 2025 at Verge Gallery, University of Sydney, Gadigal Country. 

We wholeheartedly acknowledge Aboriginal elders past, present and future, of the land on which the gallery operates and the areas in which this work was created; The Dharug, Gadigal, Bidjigal and Awabakal People. Billy Bain, Curator of You’re Welcome? says, ‘I’d also like to extend my respect to all my Aboriginal brothers and sisters who continue to stand in solidarity and strength with me each day. This project is for community, and it would not be possible without your love and support.’ 

What does it mean to be welcome in ‘Australia’? 

Curated by Dharug artist Billy Bain, You’re Welcome? explores the ways in which a group of young Sydney-based artists form, express, and interrogate ideas of what it means to be welcome. Through non-traditional, figurative portraiture, these artists navigate their own multicultural identities and create both physical and digital space for community, despite an often hostile and unwelcoming wider Australian consciousness.   

Running concurrently with Invasion Day and The University of Sydney’s Welcome Week, You’re Welcome? celebrates and platforms these artist’s unique stories and perspectives — from the political to the surreal and humorous.  

For accessibility, audio descriptions of selected artworks are available and can be accessed via wall mounted QR codes near the corresponding artwork. Tactile floor markings, detectable by cane, are positioned directly below these tactile QR codes.

The layout of the gallery is a large rectangular space. In the middle of the space there is a sculpture by Billy Bain on an oval plinth which is red in colour, as well as a sculpture on a circular plinth. Also in the middle of the gallery space is an artwork made of a metal fence, with protest posters made of plastic, attached to it. This artwork is made by artist Gosha Heldtz.   

These audio descriptions were co-designed by Renae Belton and Sarah Empey, and aim to provide enhanced accessibility for all visitors, including those who are blind or have low vision.