The Freilich Project at the Australian National University is proud to present "We BleedThe Same" at Griffith Regional Art Gallery until Friday 22 December 2023. 

The exhibition and documentary is created by producer Liz Deep-Jones, photographer Tim Bauer and Art Director, Brenda Dwyer and features photographic and documentary accounts of racism in the 21st century - beginning its journey in Australia through the lens of First Nations people followed by immigrants and refugees - questioning and demonstrating who we are as a nation. Griffith community, ANU alumni and staff and the creators of the exhibition met to celebrate the opening of the exhibition last Friday 10th November.

Exhibition Curator, award winning journalist and film-maker Liz Deep-Jones, said “The 36 people featured in the stunning portraits taken by Tim Bauer are from varied backgrounds, religion and race. They champion human rights and also share their extraordinary stories in our film, recounting a past of disturbing memories - fleeing persecution, the Holocaust, caught in conflicts, ethnic cleansing - the horrors of human cruelty.”

One of those portrayed in the exhibition, Subhi Bora, a Uyghur/Uzbek immigrant said, “My parents came to Australia to give their family opportunities, to live without fear and for freedom - the freedom to be Uyghur. I’m grateful my parents chose to come to Australia and it’s really heartbreaking to realise if they stayed in Xingjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in East Turkistan, it could have been me in those internment camps.”

Ms Deep-Jones said “This exhibition explores and raises questions about racism, who we are as a nation and who we want to be. What action are we talking to live and work together in a more peaceful and inclusive society? What are we doing to confront racism and quell its power?”

“We honour all of the incredible people in our exhibition who have been brave enough to share their truth and give power to their stories. I am also grateful to them for trusting us with sharing their stories in our exhibitions and platforms. Rather than stay silent they have risen and empowered all of us!”

“We are all citizens of the world and it’s our duty to combat racism, fight for equality and welcome everyone so we have a sense of belonging. We matter and we are equal. ‘We Bleed The Same' is about you, me, and humanity,” she said.

The exhibition also celebrates diversity in its photographic installation consisting of images of people from across Australia.