Past | Black Diasporas

3rd- 13th August

Black Diasporas is an immersive and interactive cultural exhibition that encourages visitors to explore an evolving narrative directly from people of African descent in Naarm Melbourne. Curated by Kholisile Dhliwayo, the founder of global arts and culture organisation afrOURban,  the videos, audio interviews and community events aim to evolve identity-defining narrative beyond stereotypical representation of African people in western society - amplifying the voice of Melbourne’s African communities, over 50,000 strong. 

“This collection of over 300 stories puts our voices on the map, both figuratively and literally,” said Dhliwayo. “We want to share more nuanced perspectives about Black African people through their narratives: life stories that go beyond the usual narrative of tragedy and allow the full expression of the cultural practices and life experiences of people of colour, showing the full spectrum of experience.”

An expansion of the successful BlackDiasporas.com New York City pilot, the Melbourne Naarm project aims to document and celebrate a more comprehensive narrative about the spaces occupied by people of African descent, both in the diaspora and on the African continent.

Visitors will also receive the opportunity to contribute to the project by recording their own story about living in Melbourne, which will be reviewed and uploaded through the exhibit period, ensuring that the narrative continues to grow and evolve.