Let’s Talk Perspectives, commissioned by Diversity Arts Australia, was created by Deborah Faye Lee and visual and AR designer, Sarah Tan.

It comprises several Augmented Reality artworks, featuring the stories of three Asians in Australia (Ruru Zhu, Gary Patni and Steph Garcia Jowett) who have been impacted in a number of ways by COVID-19, in particular COVID-19 related racism.

​#iamnotavirus is an artist-led project by Diversity Arts Australia to confront xenophobia and racism, bust stereotypes and provide a counter-narrative to issues of long-standing racism in Australia that has intensified during Covid-19.

The immersive nature of augmented reality allows the public to gain new perspectives through the raw and honest sharing of the interviewees’ journeys. As people navigate the artwork, we hope this experience encourages them to see Asians beyond our preconceived stereotypes and to take the time to explore the rich heritage and histories of our Asian communities.

On the artists’ part, this work also signals the rejection of racist and xenophobic violence and discrimination faced by Asians due to the pandemic. This piece is a small step towards building a more tolerant society, one that is filled with kindness, empathy and mutual respect. The auditory portion of this experience is also representative of giving a voice, authority and a platform for Asians to speak up, especially during this period.

Let’s Talk Perspectives was featured on The Sydney Morning Herald, ABC Art Works and City Hub.

Full details of Let's Talk Perspectives can be found here