Where are you from?

For many people of colour living in communities with a white predominance, the question Where are you from? is a regular encounter. While this question might be considered harmless, it can be othering and tiresome to constantly explain your existence.

Where are you from? was created to celebrate, educate and raise awareness about the BIPOC identity, through thought provoking art and storytelling.

Therapy for some, an education for others; the project stimulates the vital conversations about belonging and acceptance that need to be heard and shared.

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Where are you from? (WAYF) was first launched at Blak Dot Gallery, Melbourne and online, in 2018. The second series, Where are you from? Sydney was shown in 2019 at Goodspace Gallery, Chippendale, as well as The Other Art Fair, Kensington.

In 2020 WAYF launched an online exhibition and publication (about textured hair), Hair by Where are you from? Which was reimagined in 2021 as a physical hair salon in collaboration with Atong Atem and MPAV Pavilion.

Since its inception, WAYF has been featured by ABC TV, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Broadsheet, Abc Life, Acclaim Magazine, Ladies of Leisure, Fashion Journal Magazine, Vice, Frankie Magazine, iD UK, Acclaim Magazine, ArtsHub, Zee Feed, ABC Radio National, Triple R and FBI Radio Sydney, and East Side Radio. 

Curated and Edited by Sabina McKenna @art_workr

Melbourne Series Photos by Jess Brohier 2018

Sydney Series Photos by Chris Loutfy

‘Hair’ by Where are you from? Photos by Shannon May Powell

Video by Amy Dellar; with help from Sarah Saw

Illustrations by Chi Chi Grabsby 

Thanks To

Jess Brohier

Blak Dot Gallery

Goodspace Gallery

& Play on Play Studio