We invite you to join us for the opening of ‘Uyghur – Reclaiming our story’: a groundbreaking exhibition celebrating culture as resistance.

This is Uyghur identity; beyond the headlines and beyond the context of the genocide. This is Uyghur identity defined on our terms.

The exhibition features artworks by international artists from across the global Uyghur diaspora and portraits of the Uyghur community by Sam Biddle.

Musical icon, Shorhat Tursun, will be joining us from Sydney for a special performance of Muquam. And activist, Intezar Elham along with her sister Tursunay, will be showcasing a traditional Uyghur dance.

All are welcome.

Some words from key project collaborators:

"Many Australians only know what the Chinese Government has done to us. I want to show the world who we really are." Nadira Yusef, founder of the Victoria Uyghur Language School

"It’s a shame that Uyghurs are being introduced to the world through the actions of our oppressors. But across the generations and borders of the diaspora, our resistance in all its forms defies the oppressor. Our culture is our power." - Fazilat Shu, Stylist

"Being Uyghur is not a tragedy, we are not history. We have seen pain but we turn that pain into our power." Denara, Fashion designer

This exhibition is held on what always was and always will be the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded in Australia. Though Uyghurs have a shared experience of genocide and colonisation, we acknowledge that on these lands we benefit from the historical and ongoing violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These are stolen lands and we stand in solidarity.

Official opening event: Saturday 11 March, 6 – 9pm

Exhibition showing: 11 March – Sunday 19 March

Contact: sambiddle.xyz@gmail.com if you have any questions.