Exhibitions &public progrAMs

FairField City MuseuM & Gallery

January – June 2017

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Staff:

Museum coordinator & Education officer:Carmel Aiello

Acting social history and Exhibitions curator:Serena Manwaring

Museum and gallery programs officer:Bethany Falzon

Assistant curator:Ruth Maittlen

communications partner:Ryan Auberson-Walsh

Administration Assistant:Maria Luongo

customer service officers: Laura Brunick, Timothy Talty & Sara Bressa

program Designer: Kathie Nad

Fairfield City Museum and Gallery is known for its strong commitment to community engagement and is the largest exhibition space in Fairfield City. We are one of the City’s greatest resources, at the forefront of creating activities and exhibitions about our, heritage, contemporary visual arts and about our culturally diverse communities.

Cover image: Photograph from the Living Cultures Festival 2016, courtesy of Michelle Lam Program is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change.

2017 is an exciting year for Fairfield City Museum and Gallery as we continue our journey to deliver new initiatives, exhibitions and events. We hope to build upon 2016 by continuing to be relevant, daring, thought provoking and engaging. Our commitment is to deliver exhibitions and programs of a high calibre that showcase our rich artistic and cultural heritage for local residents, Western Sydney and the Greater Sydney region visitors.

Our 2017 exhibitions challenge stereotypes, create and present new stories of and for our community. From celebrating our diversity, to stories of exclusion to debunking stereotypes about ‘the West’, we present a program that is local, real and relevant whose voice carries far beyond Fairfield.

Join us is in experiencing new work from Khaled Sabsabi, the inaugural Western Sydney Arts Fellow, delight in the playfulness of Anney Bounpraseuth’s stories of family and growing up in Western Sydney. See artworks and hear stories of migration and identity from Iraqi artists working and living in Western Sydney. Together with our new social history exhibition A Home Away From Home: Exploring Fairfield City’s Multicultural Clubs, entertaining events, engaging education programs, workshops and art classes. We invite you here, to explore, learn, create and open your mind to new ideas and experiences.

Carmel Aiello Museum coordinator and Education officer

wElcoME

Fairfield City Museum & Gallery is an initiative of Fairfield City Council

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exhibitions MuseuM hallway and exhibition rooMs

A hoME AwAy froM hoME: Exploring fAirfiElD’s MulticulturAl clubs

3 December 2016 – 10 June 2017

“It was a home, like a sanctuary”

Beyond the bricks and mortar of social clubs lies the diverse stories of immigrants; often fleeing war and civil strife to arrive in a completely foreign land.

From humble beginnings many cultural clubs sprang up throughout the Fairfield region providing a haven for fellow countrymen to connect, socialise and celebrate traditional customs.

A Home Away From Home explores the formation and evolution of these clubs and examines the importance and place that they play in Australian social history.

The exhibition features photographs by local photographer Helen Tran, along with archival photographs and objects loaned by the clubs and from the Muesum’s collection.

Bonnyrigg Sports Club, 2016, photographer Helen Tran

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exhibitions

MAJority-MinorityKhaled Sabsabi

21 January – 29 April 2017

Majority-Minority examines our claim to place, presenting it as a precarious and impossible pursuit. Condemning our need for ownership Sabsabi dares the viewer to consider the impossibility of the utopian place and challenges us to occupy moments of discomfort rather than retreating.

official launch: saturday 21 January, 2pm

The exhibition features digital works from the Wonderland series and Talwa as well as new work, Martyrs and Followers (2016).

Image: Khaled Sabsabi, Wonderland, 2014, courtesy of the artist, represented by Milani Gallery.

stein Gallery

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exhibitions

cAbrAcADAbrAAnney Bounpraseuth

6 May – 2 september, 2016

Cabracadabra presents a series of still-life paintings featuring selected objects from Asian discount variety stores that typically adorned the artist’s childhood and lovingly decorated home complete with fake flower arrangements, imitation antique ceramics and mismatched textiles.

These knick-knacks were often sourced from various retailers in Cabramatta with a vibrant and characteristic aesthetic and are to Bounpraseuth, evocative objects that symbolise the aspirations of her Laotian parents who came to Australia with very little possessions as refugee migrants in search of a prosperous life.

official launch: saturday 6 May, 2pm

The exhibition intentionally conveys the search for belonging and finding your place within a community or more dominant culture. The works document an aspect of Australian culture rarely explored in art, with reference and in contrast to the tradition of still-life painting by established Australian female artists.

CoMMunity spaCe Gallery

Image: Anney Bounpraseuth, Untitled, image courtesy of Mechelle Bounpraseuth

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exhibitions

shAnAshEEl

13 May – 9 september 2017

Shanasheel translated from Iraqi means a type of Balcony, an identifiable and common feature in Iraqi architecture, particularly in the streetscapes of Basra, known as the City of Shanasheels. A traditional architectural element that has social and environmental uses, it provides an interface between the private home with the public space of the street or alley.

Ornate and romantic, the notion of it conjures memories of homeland, culture, feelings and identity by Iraqi artists in Sydney that would otherwise be kept private from the general public.

official launch: saturday 13 May, 2pm

Fairfield City Museum and Gallery in partnership with the Iraqi Australia Graduate Forum present an exhibition featuring Iraqi-Australian artists living and working in Western Sydney as well as a program of events that explores memory of place, storytelling and identity.

Image: Hedar Abadi, Migrating, Oil on canvas, 2016, courtesy of the artist

stein Gallery

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air proGraM

2017 Air (Artist in rEsiDEncy) progrAMAre you an innovative artist who likes to experiment with artistic boundaries? Are you looking for a studio and exhibition space? If you have an interest in heritage and culture and would like to connect with Fairfield’s rich and diverse communities, then consider applying to become our next Artist in Residence.

The AiR program is open to artists practising in a range of forms, and available from September 2017 until February 2018 culminating in an exhibition in 2018.

The successful artist will receive $5000 towards artist fees and materials as well as a creative space in which to produce new work.

To apply you must submit your CV, a brief project proposal and project outline to Carmel Aiello, Museum Coordinator and Education Officer: caiello@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au. Applicants are encouraged to view our site first.

Deadline: friday 14 July 2017

Fairfield City Museum and Gallery encourages submissions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and artists from a cultural and linguistically diverse background.

eduCation proGraM

living thE pAstThe Living the Past program has been designed to give visiting Stage 1 students and accompanying adults a glimpse into the lives of early European settlers in Western Sydney. This program is highly interactive and engages directly with students through a series of role plays and hands-on experiences.

Drawing from the Museum’s heritage buildings, such as the 1880s Slab Hut and the Victoria Street School House, Museum, volunteers interpret each on-site exhibit, bringing to life a time that today’s students will not have experienced.

During their visit students see common daily activities demonstrated and will take part in an ‘old-fashioned’ school lesson and dressing up as they would have at the turn of the 20th century.

This program is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays only during school term.

prices: fairfield local Area schools are $5 per child. schools outside the fairfield lgA are $7 per child.

For more information or to receive a copy of the Teacher’s Information Pack: 97250190 / museumgallery@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au

Image: Playing marbles image courtesy of Fairfield City Council Archives

Image: 2016 Artist in residence, Loribelle Spirovski, Uzumaki, courtesy of the artist

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chilDrEn’s visuAl Art progrAM (8 wEEks)

wednesdays 4.00 – 5.30pmterm 1: 8 February – 29 March term 2: 10 May – 28 June

saturdays 10.00am – 11.30amterm 1: 11 February – 1 April term 2: 6 May – 24 June

cost: $120 (includes all materials & tuition) or $15 for a trial lesson available only in the first

week. Bookings essential.

Age: 6 years+ tutor: Rhonda Dee

chilDrEn’s clAy clAssEs (8 wEEks)

tuesdays 4.00 – 5.30pmterm 1: 7 February – 28 Marchterm 2: 9 May – 26 June

Ceramic workshops for children delivered by ceramicist Kathie Raco from the Clayhouse.

Each term there is a new theme and students learn to hand-build sculptures, ornaments and vases.

cost: $120 (includes all materials & tuition) or $15 for a trial lesson available only in the first week.

Bookings essential.

Age: 6 years+ tutor: Kathie Raco

Children’s proGraM

April school holiDAy progrAMFor information about the April School Holiday program, contact us on 97250190 / museumgallery@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au or visit www.livingmuseum.com.au in the fortnight leading up to the holiday break.

ACCESSIBLE PROGRAM

visuAl AbilitiEs

fridays 10.30am – 12.00pmterm 1: 10 February – 31 Marchterm 2: 12 May – 30 June

Visual Abilities is an eight week workshop series open to people living with a disability.

cost: $40 per term (includes all materials and tuition). Bookings essential on 9725 0190 / museumgallery@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au.

NEW PROGRAM

MEMory box

Available on request on wednesdays only from March 201710.30am – 12pm

This immersive program gives people living with dementia the opportunity to connect with the world through the exploration of the vintage village and objects from Fairfield City Museum and Gallery’s Collection.

This two hour program aims to facilitate thoughts, emotions and memories and at the same time provide participants with new experiences.

Bookings are required as places are limited.

cost: $5 per participant (includes morning tea). Minimum booking of 5 people.

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speCial events tours

living culturEs fEstivAlFREE EVENT

Saturday 25 March, 11.00am – 3.00pm

Set in the heart of one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities, the Living Cultures Festival celebrates the energy and diversity of Fairfield and its communities. This festival is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of community. Immerse yourself in contemporary and traditional music and dance, exhibitions, art, displays and demonstrations.

Festival includes face painting and arts activities for children and adults. Food and drink will be available.

psychic sunDAy fAirAPPI GHOST HuNTS AND TOuRS

Sunday 29 January,10.00am - 4.00pm

Psychic Sunday is back again on 29 January 2017. At this festive little psychic fair we bring you a selection of tarot readers, mediums, clairvoyants, healers, and more to share their gifts with you. All are welcome to take part in our FREE inspirational and informative seminars on a range of different topics.

Bring the kids and let them have a ball with the crafts, face-painting and scavenger hunt on offer and of course, browse the unique merchandise offered by our exhibitors, including jewellery, cosmetics, music, books, gift-ware, crystals, ghost tours, incense and more!

This relaxed and fun event is held in the beautiful leafy grounds of the Fairfield City Museum & Gallery. There is plenty of street parking (you can park all day on The Horsley Drive on a Sunday). ATMs are a 2 minute walk away at the local Smithfield shopping centre.

cost: Only $5 entry. For bookings go to www.psychicsunday.com.au

EnJoy An intiMAtE tour of thE MusEuM with izi trAvEl onlinE toursFairfield City Museum and Gallery has self-directed audio guides that can be downloaded for free through the izi Travel app. Explore the museum and gallery at your own pace.

Discover the highlights and hidden gems, and enjoy fascinating stories which brings our museum alive. To download the mobile app go to https://izi.travel/en/app

vintAgE ADvEnturEsInteractive tour for children under 12 years available free of charge. The tour guides participants through our museum and explores objects and stories of the past in our Vintage Village.

Image: Maylei Hunt: Vintage Village, 2013, courtesy of the photographer

Image: The Acholi Dancers from the 2016 Living Cultures Festival, photograph courtesy of Michelle Lam

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fairfield city Museum & gallery

Cnr The Horsley Drive & Oxford Street (634 The Horsley Drive)Smithfield NSW 2164

PO Box 2464 Smithfield NSW 2164 p: 02 9725 0190 f: 02 9757 4357 museumgallery@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au www.livingmuseum.com.au

find us online

www.facebook.com/fairfieldcitymuseumgallery @fairfieldcitymuseumgallery

opening hours

10.00am - 4.00pm Tuesday to Saturday Closed Sunday, Monday & Public Holidays

frEE ADMission

Disabled access

Wheelchair access to most buildings and disabled parking available

public transport

Buses 812, 813 and 814 from Fairfield Railway Station

Tea and coffee facilities available only on site.

program partners

thanks to our volunteers:

Peter CurryLionel FraserRougina HaifaMerriel HiltDebra HudsonEve KanellopoulosJessica Lay

volunteers

Volunteers are important to us because they enrich our programs and assist in a variety of roles including the presentation of the Living the Past education program. Contact us if you are

interested.

site hire

Fairfield City Museum & Gallery is the perfect setting for weddings, bridal photographs or corporate functions. Contact us for fees and conditions of hire.

Smithfield

group bookings

Fairfield City Museum & Gallery can provide a Devonshire Morning Tea for Community Groups - perfect after taking a little wander around our site! cost: $5 per person.

booking conditions for workshops and classes

Payments accepted by cash, cheque or money order. Eftpos is available.

Any cancellations made less than one week before the first session or workshop date will not be entitled to a refund.

Payment is required to secure your place and must be received at least 24 hours before the first session or workshop. No refunds for missed classes.

Trial classes for the 8 week children’s courses are subject to availability and only in the first week of the course, at a cost of $15.

John McIntoshStephen MartinVan Phouc NguyenLan NguyenGreg RogojkinMichelle StewartBob Ward

The Clayhouse

Milani Gallery