Exploring HOME 25: A Bold Forum on Belonging, Displacement and Resilience

 As part of current roving exhibition HOME 25: Invisible Cities, the City of Greater Dandenong has invited artists, local community leaders, activists and thinkers to explores the personal, political, and poetic dimensions of ‘home’. Guest speakers include Uncle Mark Brown (Bunurong and Gunditjmara) and Candy Bowers.  

This thought-provoking forum, moderated by Yolngu woman of the Galpu Clan from Northeast Arnhem land, Leila Gurruwiwi, will be held on Saturday 20 September. Through three interconnected parts—Art, Memory and Desire—the forum offers space for critical reflection and imaginative possibility.   

“The HOME Forum is a space for urgent and meaningful dialogue, bringing together a selection of artists featured in HOME 25, experts, and community voices to explore what ‘home’ means today—from housing crisis and refugee politics to broader questions of displacement, belonging, and resilience. We aim to amplify both global and Dandenong-based perspectives, sparking collective action on issues that shape our shared future. The Forum is also a moment to reflect on the current exhibition, gathering ideas and insights to carry forward into the next iteration of the program in 2027,” Curator Dr Miriam La Rosa said.   

Participating artists for Part One: Art include Adrian Olguin, Barat Ali Batoor, Soyoun Kim, Hayden Ryan and James Howard (Liquid Architecture) and Rushdi Anwar.  

Part Two: Memory will include presentations and discussion facilitated by Leila Gurruwiwi including representatives from local and cultural organisations. Uncle Mark Brown from Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC) Abbas Amiry from the Refugee Centre, Naomi Paterson from Cornerstone and Livia Carusi from the Interfaith Network.

Part Three: Desire, features a performative keynote by Candy Bowers.  

HOME 25: Invisible Cities, presented from 24 June – 27 September 2025, features artworks by 16 artists showcasing the stories of refugee, asylum seeker, First Nations, and migrant artists.   

The artists participating are:  Vernon Ah Kee, Ali Afzali, Barat Ali Batoor, Rushdi Anwar, Atong Atem, Belinda Farinaccia, Carla Gottgens, Emily Jacir, Soyoun Kim, Karo Moret Miranda, Kent Morris, Adrian Olguin, Maroulla Radisavic, Hayden Ryan, Tennant Creek Brio, Ka Yan So.  

HOME is an ongoing artistic program, presented by City of Greater Dandenong since 2016.  

ENDS  

HOME 25 IMAGES and ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES to download HERE.    

HOME 25 Forum    

Saturday 20 September, 2pm – 5.30pm, $10  

Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre,
Corner Walker and Robinson Streets, Dandenong   

HOME 2025 - Invisible Cities | Greater Dandenong Council  

Curator talk: https://youtu.be/yyKHqqzoS1s   

HOME 25: Invisible Cities 24 June – 27 September 2025. FREE   

HOME 2025 - Invisible Cities | Greater Dandenong Council