TURF

Overview

Art, public housing, gentrification — they're all inextricably linked ingredients in a constantly simmering cauldron of debate about what our urban spaces should or should not look and be like. So, story activist Jordan Byron has decided to shed a little light on the matter by providing the public with an intimate view of the world of public housing.

Jordan's curated a travelling installation titled TURF: public housing goes public. It's a purpose-built replica of a public housing unit, showcasing art made by residents. All in all, 21 stories are told through various media, including paint, photographs, video, word and sound.

“In gentrified inner city suburbs, public housing and prime real estate are side by side but worlds apart. TURF is where these worlds collide,” Jordan explains. “Most people want nothing to do with public housing — it’s dirty, it’s dangerous, it’s different. Sure it can be all of those things but it’s so much more. TURF opens the doors and invites everyone in to see public housing for what it really is: a cocoon of diversity, dreams and dilemmas.”

TURF will be open to the public in two different locations: Gladstone Park, Balmain, from 9am-6pm between Thursday, November 28, and Monday, December 2, and Surry Hills Library Forecourt, from 9am-10pm between Thursday, December 5, and Monday, December 9. There'll be a launch party on Sunday, November 30, with live music, performances, food and drink.