177 Nations of Tasmania x Head On Photography Exhibition - Opening Night

Tasmania is not a place that typically springs to mind when talking about cultural diversity. But what if you were told that people from as many as 177 different nations call the island home?

177 Nations of Tasmania is a long-term documentary project by photographer Andrew Wilson and interviewer Mark Thomson, bringing together portraits and personal stories from people who have made Tasmania their home.

The project has now documented people from more than 130 nations, revealing an extraordinary range of experiences spanning migration, family, culture, displacement, opportunity and belonging. Some participants arrived by choice, others through circumstances far beyond their control, but together their stories create a portrait of contemporary Tasmania that is far more diverse than many people realise.

This exhibition presents a curated selection of Andrew Wilson’s portraits as part of the Head On Photo Festival 2026 Open Program.

Alongside the photography, visitors can discover the stories behind the faces through the broader 177 Nations of Tasmania project, which includes recorded interviews and a major new book bringing together portraits, photographs and stories from participants across the state.

The project is currently exhibiting at Public Libraries throughout Tasmania and its photographs and oral histories are being preserved as part of the permanent collection of the State Library and Archives of Tasmania.

Location: Lower Deck, Photo Lutruwita Gallery, Brooke Street Pier, Hobart - this space is accessible to all abilities.
When: 6-29 November 2026
Presented as part of: Head On Photo Festival 2026 Open Program
Suported by: City of Hobart, Full Gamut Fine Art Printers and Libraries Tasmania