A Journey Within – Defining Moments

A Journey Within – Defining Moments is a participatory public art project and exhibition that explores the pivotal experiences shaping individual life. Initiated in July 2016, the project invited anonymous public participation by posing a simple yet meaningful question: “What moments have shaped you into you?” By May 15, 2017, 271 responses had been received—many deeply moving—revealing a shared human inclination to reflect on transformation. Even after the official conclusion, submissions continued to arrive until the project website was eventually closed.

As noted in the gallery’s press release by curator Barbara Duncan, “An initial encounter with the exhibition evokes a sense of purity and reserve. However, upon deeper engagement, it becomes clear that the responses stem from a place of profound personal reflection and authenticity. The stories, though brief, are strangely all-encompassing, often carrying the imprint of loss, grief, or a defining realization.” These collected narratives serve as evidence of our unique yet interconnected experiences, illuminating the unseen forces that shape personal growth. Moments of clarity—whether joyful, painful, or revelatory—act as turning points that transform our understanding of self and others. In recognizing this, the journey of navigating life becomes a little more legible.

The exhibition manifests these themes through a series of interconnected artworks. Central to the exhibition is the Archive that honours each submitted story, housed within eight viewing structures. This evolving display of mounted narratives underscores the ongoing nature of self-discovery—a process that, much like the project itself, remains open-ended.

A Journey Within – Defining Moments was jointly funded by the Maple Ridge Public Art Steering Committee and The ACT Arts Council.

Other artworks in the project exhibition: Paper Trail, Charcoal, Hidden Clock, Behind the Scene Documentary

Press:

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Paper Trail
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Charcoal