“40 Days Exhibition – A Journey Back in Memory” is an art exhibition at Sunshine Art Spaces Gallery showcasing the creative and storytelling talent of Melbourne artist and filmmaker Ez Eldin Deng . The exhibit features a series of photographic and video works representing the artist’s journey back home to South Sudan, and exploring themes of identity, culture and the idea of living in two worlds.
“My journey back to Sudan brought a storm of happiness but with it a rain fall of bullets. The sadness I felt was enough to break my heart apart. It was a challenge not to listen to people who discourage your thoughts of love as they have lost their love and are blinded by thoughts of the slavery of their cultures and beliefs that are locked in stone.” – Ez Eldin Deng.
MEET THE ARTIST:
Ez Eldin Deng was born in South Sudan. In 2004 he arrived in Australia/Melbourne with his family. As English was not his first language, he was very determined to extend his English vocabulary by any means. Since then he has refined his natural ability to tell stories through rhymes, theatre, film, and storytelling. As he continues building his network within African and other multicultural communities in Australia.
Ez Eldin Deng is a talented man with multiple skills especially in filmmaking, acting, and creative writing. Before that he performed part of the Knight Knights Hip Hop group who was developed out of the Centres ID Check project in 2005 at Footscray Community Arts Centre. As “EZU” he has been involved in dozens of theatre projects with Victoria College of the Arts, Multicultural Art Victoria, Western Edge Youth Arts, and Playback West Theatre Group.
EZ has worked for Cohealth Arts Generator as a film director and artist facilitator, Master Chef Australia, as well as the AACTA award-winning mini-tv drama series Sunshine broadcasted on SBS as a Creative Consultant. He has also worked on season 2 of the TV series Jack Irish broadcasted on ABC doing behind scenes for online marketing content, and in 2018 he was the Director’s attachment for the feature film Hearts and Bones starring Hugo Weaving.
Nowadays he is enjoying studying youth work at Australian Catholic University, working in his role as a founding partner and community engagement officer with Next in Colour based in Footscray, as well as continuing with his craft by developing TV content and documentaries.
Follow Ez Eldin Deng on Instagram for exhibition updates: @ez_eldin_deng
Exhibition runs 19 May-26 June
Exhibition launch: Wednesday 19 May, 6-7.30pm
Location: Sunshine Art Spaces Gallery
Gallery opening times during exhibition:
Tuesday 11:30am-5:30pm
Wednesday 11:30am-5:30pm
Friday from 9am to 12pm
*** Gallery closed during Melbourne lockdown***
Featured image by by Arun Muñoz.