26 May, 2021

New exhibition reflects on young people’s COVID-19 experience

The City of Adelaide has partnered with the Commissioner for Children and Young People to shine a spotlight on the pandemic’s impact on young South Australians.

Reflections is a collection of photographic portraits accompanied by hand-written quotes that capture the personal insights of 14 young South Australians who kept journals detailing the impact of coronavirus during 2020. In their own words, they share their private hopes and fears recorded just as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

The exhibition explores four key themes at various locations across the City of Adelaide.

• Identity at Francis Street Laneway
• Connection at Hutt Street Library
• Participation at South West Community Centre
• Hope at North Adelaide Library

City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said its important our young people are heard and their specific challenges highlighted.

“This pandemic has impacted everyone individually and this exhibition is a powerful way for the community to understand a different perspective,” said the Lord Mayor.

“Whether it’s stories of education, social or economic challenges, everyone can relate to these pieces, so I commend these artists for opening up and telling their stories.

“We’re really proud to be associated with this project. It’s essential our young people are encouraged to speak up and be heard on important issues impacting the wider community.”

The Commissioner for Children and Young People, Helen Connolly said the exhibition is a powerful community project that came from a need to understand how COVID-19 was impacting young South Australians.

“As we develop and implement a response to the pandemic, we need to fully consider the complexities and disruptions COVID-19 has had on this generation of young people,” said the Commissioner.

“We need to include young people’s ideas and opinions so that their hopes for what the ‘new normal’ might look like in a post pandemic world are incorporated.”

The “Reflections” exhibition will be launched tomorrow afternoon at 4:30pm at the Francis Street Laneway, adjacent to the entrance to City Library. The exhibition continues through to July 31.

Jack Berketa