About The Local

About THE LOCAL

What have you given up in order to merge with mainstream culture?

And what do you hold onto, in order to feel like yourself?

These two questions form the basis of a new large-scale, Melbourne-based project by American artist Eliza Gregory.

The project consists of portraits of people from many different backgrounds, paired with interviews about the process of cultural adaptation. People tell stories of moving from one country to another, dealing with rapid change in the country they’ve always lived in, coping with prejudice and cultural repression, and navigating the process of building and maintaining one’s personal cultural identity.

The project is conceived of as a way to help mitigate the social isolation that many new immigrants or marginalized populations feel. It’s also designed to catalyze new relationships by breaking down cultural barriers and prejudices so that people can more easily get to know each other.

“I find,” Gregory says, “that for some people, the answers to these questions are simple and easy. For others they are complicated and emotional. But the answers are always interesting.”

In assembling the show, Gregory has partnered with nonprofit organizations InfoXchange, Carringbush Adult Education, and the Collingwood Housing Estates Arts Committee. She has cast a wide net, drawing from her own personal network and meeting many participants for the first time through these institutional relationships. “Meeting new people in the context of this project is an electrifying experience. At the same time, I’ve learned things about my own friends that I never would have normally.”

The portraits and interviews reflect the growing diversity and complexity of Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs.

THE LOCAL was exhibited in Melbourne from March 11-27th at the Yarra Sculpture Space, in Abbotsford.

THE LOCAL will travel to Sydney from May 2-15th and be part of the HeadOn Photo Festival, displayed at the Global Gallery, Paddington.