12/08/2026
Last month, through our 'What Matters' Youth Art exhibition, we brought together art from young people across our foyers, refuges, and programs. Giving young people a platform to create, share, and celebrate art while challenging community attitudes towards youth homelessness. 🎨
42 artworks were submitted from 27+ young artists. From paintings, graffiti, sculptures, music, film photography, ceramic, and clay pieces. 3 young artists won prizes from their artwork. Ciel, who received an award for their song "Overboard Boy" explored themes of loss and grief.
The opening event was hosted by Xantia, a proud young Kamilaroi Woman, artist, and Lived Experience Advisor at MCM. Our CEO Paul Wappett opened the evening with an Acknowledgement of Country, paying respect to the Wurundjeri Peoples and recognising everyone involved in bringing the exhibition to life.
"I started to initially write after my mother passed. I wrote it in a way where it explored both sides of what I was currently feeling, feelings of loss grief and all the things in between. It had an acoustic vibe originally but changed to a more heavy feel to deal with some of my vocal issues on the day. This song reminds me that those whom are gone aren't far from thought." - Ciel, songwriter (Overboard Boy)
Another young artist, created a sculpture to represent the past, present and future of recovering, growing and moving forward. "The future holds promise. Flowers begin to bloom with light green, holding hope. Rhinestones show the beauty of progression, even though the past remains." - Ritter, artist (Rebirth sculpture)
People who visited the exhibition had the chance to vote for their favourite artwork. We will announce the winner for the People's Choice Award soon, so watch this space! 👀
Behind every artwork is a young person with a story, perspective and creative voice worth hearing. A big thank you to everyone who attended and submitted their art.
