What we carry with us: A Youth Participatory Arts Action Research Project

YPAAR

What we carry with us

2024

Acknowledgement of Country This Zine and research was created on unceded Country.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on whose country we live and work, the Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation (Naarm) and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. To find out more about the Traditional Owners of the land on which you live, see: AIATSIS map of Indigenous Australia.

Furthermore, we recognise that the storytelling, community, creativity and resistance that were the anchor points of this program has taken place on this land for tens of thousands of years. First Nations people are the oldest storytellers on this land and we have so much to learn from their stories.

We have so much to unlearn about the colonial stories we have been told about this land. There are stories poured into every rock, tree and step of this beautiful country that we have the immense privilege to walk upon.

We are critically reflecting on our roles as storytellers, creatives, resistors and what it means and looks like to be in solidarity with First Nations people on this land. As settlers, we continue to move toward understanding our call to action and our positionality and privilege.

This Always Was and Always Will Be Aboriginal Land.

Contents

About this Project Collective Storylines The Artists and their Work

About this project Description / byline This Zine presents the artwork created by a diverse collective of 16 young people in Victoria, Australia during one of the longest and most restrictive lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Youth Participatory Arts Action Research (YPAAR) project grew out of our feelings of helplessness with just documenting and listening to young people, without there also being a way to support them and create possibilities for surviving, digesting and transforming their/our experiences of isolation, despair, possibility and activism.

Youth participatory action research collectives are groups - of adults,young people, artists, activists-- that come together to explore important social justice issues. The aim of YPAR is to develop understanding, build capacity and take action to transform oppressive conditions.

Across a three month period we worked individually and collectively to explore and unpack different social issues, share stories, build community, mobilise creative and cultural practice and craft artworks that challenge, subvert, resist and inspire.

Collective Storylines

Documenting and digesting: Stories of preservation, resistance, hope and loss

Building collective visions

COVID-19: Illuminating the cracks and creating possibilities for solidarities

Creating counterstories

Young people as heroes of the modern world

Remaking worlds through empathy and care

Alannah PROJECT:

‘Inside the Mind of 2020’ Inside the Mind of 2020 is a short film representing the mental health roller coaster of COVID-19.

Isolation, relationships, the past, present, the future and freedom are all themes that the world has collectively experienced in different ways. Let Inside the Mind of 2020 be interpreted in your own way. Get lost in the lyrics and harmonies that jar and blend all the emotions we experience into one.

The methods used in this project included selfreflective poetry/songwriting, conversations with young people in the YPAR collective and the local area, video and soundscapes.

‘Inside The Mind of 2020' - Link to Video

(Part 1) I don’t want to be stuck here (Isolation) Are you happy now that you've taken our light, trapped our souls behind a door and swallowed the key?

Left alone to wander and fall in the darkness of the days.

Why did you come?

Perhaps to teach us a lesson, perhaps to show us that privilege is a gift.

So many of us are left trapped inside the demons of our minds.

Fear, isolation, frustration, stress, anger, guilt.

These are the words of the people.

(Singing) The lights turn off and where will I go, no one to hold.

No one’s at home.

The children they run through the streets they call for Daddy (Daddy!)

No one's at home.

And I --- don't wanna to be stuck here, in a world full of fear No one's at home.

(Part 2) What's wrong with you (Relationships) What happened to old friendships?

Holding hands at lunch and counting stars?

Sometimes I feel alone, even when I'm surrounded by the people I love.

Relationships fade and shrivel into promises and secrets.

Playgrounds are cemeteries of childhood.

The phone stops ringing.

They don't love you anymore.

(A phone busy sound) (Singing). Why don't you pick up my phone? Are you too busy at home?

What Happened? What did I do? What is wrong with you? Where's the old you?

(Dial tone) (Operator speaks) The number you have dialed has been changed.

(Part 3): Stuck in the past (The past, the present, the future) Sometimes I forget about time. The present is like a ticking clock turning in slow motion.

The past is like a photograph peeling off of the wall.

The future is like a dream, fuzzy and uncertain. I don't know what lies ahead of me, and can't remember what is behind me. I see you smirking. I don't know what's next, but ...

(Singing). I wanna achieve my goals, I wanna escape this hole When will I know I'm home? Don’t know which way to go.

What will it be?

Feel so empty.

And I’m running and running and running and running.

But I’m stuck, in mind, left to rot.

And I don’t know where to go.

I want to grow old, I do.

I want to know how, I do.

And I feel so stuck in the past, And I feel like I wont last.

And I don’t know the end.

But my story is my friend.

I want to grow old, I do.

I want to grow old, with you.

(Part 4) Let everybody know I'm free (Freedom) Take a breath.

One day, we will be free.

I see freedom when I wake up and when I sleep.

I see freedom in the people around me.

It's hard to imagine life before 2020, and it's even harder to imagine life after.

Happiness, love, joy, family, friends, optimism, hope.

These are the words of the people.

(Singing) I see the purple skies, the sunset highs I hear the birds chirpin' their songs, I feel the cool breeze and the concrete streets, I hear them running all at ones and I lay here, hands can touch the sky and it all seems clear, now that you're here by my side cause I’m free! I'm free!

I am ready to go spread my wings and fly and let everybody know that I am free! I’m free! The chains are gone and now its time to go, go---go.

Angelica PROJECT:

‘Behind the Screens’ What goes on behind our screens? Do you ever wonder if people are actually as happy as they seem online? What happens if we take out the filters, background music, fun boomerangs and actually ask someone … How are you, really?

This project simply shows that mental health looks different for everyone, which is why it’s SUPER important to check in on people, even if they appear strong/happy on the outside! You never really know who is suffering – so be nice to people and let’s look out for each other!

This project used interviews with 4 young people, in addition to video diaries to create a polyvocal film designed for Instagram.

‘Behind the Screens’ - Link to Video

‘Society tells us to post all the good things, just forget about the bad things.’

‘We can show our lowest moments and our proudest moments.’

‘You will live again, you will dance again.’

Bonni PROJECT

‘A Time Capsule of COVID-19' This project sought to create a time capsule of young people’s experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using reflective and evocative prompts, a wide range of experiences, stories, words, reflections and metaphors are captured that speak to the challenges, comforts, learnings, changes, coping mechanisms and growth.

This project used storytelling and reflections captured through open-ended survey questions.

What is something you wish you knew going into this pandemic?

That it would be so long.

Nothing.

To stop overthinking.

When it will end?

It was going to go for a long time.

Just how quick it spread.

It would be a HUGE wake up call.

How much the world would change.

The outcomes.

Patience.

If 2020 was a catchphrase, what would it be?

A year of disappointment Big yikes “Sucked in losers” Live your life because you never know when we will be back on home arrest Ah shit here we go again She’ll be right Welcome to the shit show Idk ‘this sucks :(’ what more could possibly go wrong Idk. Big yikes Distance makes the heart grow fonder You live and learn 2020 a year with nothing to remember You never know what the future holds no.

What is something that is helping you cope?

My friends My significant other My mum Sticking to those who are real and getting support from them My family Friends and work My animals My friends and fam The pub Socialising Technology, so I can still connect with friends and family.

Exercising, walking and reading My family and friends and Netflix Loved ones Being outside

What did you learn about yourself?

Never take things for granted I opened my eyes to the fake where i want to be once this is all over I’m actually quite independent I have heightened anxiety out in public I withdrew socially and struggled to communicate I’ve benefited from a ‘break’ from many things that I typically do in day-to-day life

Bree PROJECT:

‘Untitled’ During 2020 we lost a Pasifika teen to gang violence and that event inspired this project. Young people in the Pasifika community often feel as though they have been disconnected from their culture and have lost their cultural identity and it can lead to seeking out spaces of belonging and acceptance in youth gangs. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, it is important to hear the voices of Polynesians and non-white people more broadly, to start the conversation about the impacts of displacement and discrimination. Several young people involved in gangs from the Pasifika community were interviewed for this project and their experiences informed the creation of a monologue, bringing together the many different voices that we hear – our own, our friends and family, from our community and society.

This monologue takes the form of a film clip that brings together performance, interpretive dance and the classical guitar to speak to issues of belonging, identity and spirituality.

This project gathered stories through interviews with young people in the Pasifika community to develop a monologue script. Combined with interpretive dance, dramatic performance and classical guitar, the final piece is presented as a film clip.

Note: the following monologue is derived directly from youth who have experienced street and gang violence. The actors are representing Māori and Pacific Islander ethnicities.

Scene 1 Young male 1:…I don’t know my purpose, I don’t know our strengths Young male 2: Yea you know sometimes your family isn’t there for you, you know? – so you gotta find your own…

Young Male 1: Gang Young male 2: And they probably do more for you that your own.

Young male 1: Encouragement and neglect??

Young male 2: some of us were born into it, you know. Fathers, uncles, cousins – you don’t get a choice. It’s hard to explain but once you’re in it, you’re in it.

Scene 2 Two young women (together): Its not something you want to be involved in.

Scene 3 (first two males) Young male 2: It’s hard, everyone has roles. When something goes down, you gotta be there no matter what, it shows loyalty. You know that’s your new family, but it’s the lifestyle behind it that’s stuffed.

Young male 1: indecision overload.

Scene 4 Young male 2: When drugs take over everything in it– you lose!

Young woman 1: Bonds Young woman 2: Love Young woman 1: Friendship Young woman 2: Trust Young woman 1: Money All together: Everything!

Scene 5 Young male 2: We start fighting over it and then we lose more numbers. If our numbers get too low other gangs can overrule us and we will have to move areas.

But the way we live isn’t great.

Young male 1: Sympathy and empathy Young male 2: Some of us got taken away from our families at a young age, you know because our Mum’s are crackheads and our dads are violent. But the police won’t help. You know I love my family, but taking me away from them is only going to make things worse.

Scene 6 Two young women and young man (together): you forced us in the system and expect us to listen to participate in the rules made by people who came with rejection rejection of our culture, our language, our people and traditions move to another country and there is no support in education the education of who I am, where I come from and where I can be led I need to scrub myself just to fit in Because the colours we see on people’s skin represents everything but unity

Young woman 1: I don’t want to be the person that I am now Young male 2: but I feel like my freedom of choice has been stripped Young male 1: I can’t control your perception of me, but this stereotype that society has of me Young woman 2: makes me feel like my freedom of choice has been stripped

Scene 7 Young woman 2: I want to me heard, I want to be on the radio Young male 1: I don’t have the right voice Young woman 2: (sigh) I know how to rap, I should make music!

Young male 1: plenty of people better than me Young woman 2: I should write more, I have a lot to say Young male 1: who wants to listen? Who will listen?

Young woman 2: I can change Young male 2: No you can‘t

Aysha PROJECT:

‘What’s Good?

(The Lockdown Edition)’ This project explores the stories of young artists from Aysha’s community and beyond, documenting their experiences of the pandemic. Covering themes of mental health, inspiration and hope during struggle, these conversations aimed to reduce stigma and become a source of motivation for others.

Machar PROJECT:

‘Untitled’ This project aimed to bring some awareness to some of the issues young people are facing during COVID, specifically relating to mental health.

Using playfulness and wackiness conveyed through illustration and graphic design onto t-shirts, these works lighten things up during a time when there has been confusion and mind games. One of the bigger aims of this project and other t-shirts designed is that I (Machar) am a positive role model for South Sudanese kids – running my own business and doing positive things in the community.

This project used illustration, graphic design and printmaking.

Hang in there

It could be worse

Jake PROJECT:

‘Turbulent Times on a Yearning Mind’ This project is a collection of poems and stories written during the COVID-19 developments of late 2020.

These pieces were written in hopes of connecting to and inspiring a wide audience, primarily young adults, who have a shared yet personal experience living with COVID, making life difficult. This project aims to bring awareness to mental health issues as well as challenges and issues brought about by COVID-19.

The poems drew on themes from the YPAR workshops. including group dialogue and some of the rituals. Poems were also created based on purposeful conversations with others in the collective.

Jakes poems also appear throughout the book.

Jemima PROJECT:

‘The Perfect Storm’ We have become virtual prisoners, effectively locking people in their homes. Many feeling like they are in solitary confinement.

How long is this going to go on? Some people are going to crack under this pressure... ~~ Almost 1 in 10 women in a relationship have experienced DV during COVID-19 ~~ COVID-19 and the extensive lockdowns present as the perfect storm for domestic violence (DV). Increasing financial insecurity and alcohol intake contribute. With many people in this situation, this project tries to portray DV victims’ emotions while reminding them that there is support out there.

This project seeks raises people’s awareness around social issues and DV, and hopefully encourage community discussion about the topic.

The methods used in this project included secondary research such as reading academic articles and government reports, websites of domestic/family services and the stories of survivors presented through a podcast. A visual diary was created to capture reflections on the arts action research process and journey of art-making which used the mediums of drawing, writing, sculpture.

“If we are to fight discrimination and injustice against women we must start from the home for if a woman cannot be safe in her own house then she cannot be expected to feel safe anywhere.”

- Aysha Taryam

Sanath PROJECT:

‘Untitled’ In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing rates of domestic violence. This project focuses on raising awareness around toxic masculinity.

This series of designs will become post-ups and stickers to form a public campaign about gender inequality and domestic violence. They aim to provide clear information about the places to seek support and consider how we educate all generations of men about systemic gender inequality and how it links to domestic violence.

This project used secondary research and graphic design.

Kay-cee PROJECT: ‘I’m Breathing for Two’ This project aimed to capture the experiences of young women who were pregnant during the pandemic.

This project used Instagram as a way to reach out and reply. The prompt was: I asked six beautiful and strong women that were pregnant during the pandemic, “what were/are the biggest struggles being pregnant during COVID-19?”

Here are their responses...

“Finding out that I was having a high risk pregnancy was hard. But going to all my appointments alone and scared that there could be problems with baby or that if my baby didn’t make it, I would have to let my partner know over the phone was even harder.” - Z “Not having a clear idea of what was happening, restrictions and rules kept changing and everything was put on pause. I didn’t end up going to any appointments until I was 28 weeks.” - K

“The thing I found most difficult was after I had given birth and was moved to my ward, my partner was given 5 minutes to leave the hospital as soon as he left I cried.” - T

“I was so afraid to get out of my house, scared that my unborn child would get sick. It honestly made me so paranoid of people even my own family.” - H

“Living in a different state away from family.

Because of border closure I have had no support during my whole pregnancy.” - A

“I felt like I was going on this journey alone, my partner even felt disconnected from his own child because he wasn’t allowed to attend any appointments or ultrasounds.” - C

Chris PROJECT:

‘Our Grief is Love with Nowhere to Go’ This project used three interviews/reflexive listening sessions, which generated themes to create artworks, to explore the connection between self-care and activism. Art allows people to explore different possibilities of self-care and self-actualisation in the present moment. It allows us to overcome and find meaning beyond simple narratives and strong emotions like grief, pain, anger and confusion, which were experienced by. many this year. Being open about navigating difficult emotions together and being heard allows people to heal and connect. This project aims to create a safe space for healing through dialogue and collaboration.

The future vision/extension of this work is to create a project called ‘Heartspace’, exploring collective healing and community connection through the facilitation of events such as empathy cafes.

This project used interviews and reflexive listening sessions and photography.

Khayshie PROJECT:

‘Locked Down’ Although the simplistic idea of ‘staying home’ sounds easy and almost preferable, routine soon descends into an echo chamber of common phrases, repetitive behaviours and news information overload. which infiltrates home as a place of serenity. Moreover, the average workday in lockdown has become so monotonous that it can be recognised (and visualised) through audio bites alone.

This project provides a taste of life in lockdown and all that comes with it, including work from home, news overload, repetitive routines and a sense of existentialism.

Drawing on both personal experience and conversations with young people, this project used audio to create soundscapes/sound stories.

‘Half Day’ - Link to audio

We want to be remembered for resilience, and remembered for how we handled this. ...these stories are that shared humanity piece of, you might not create change in the wide scale impact on the pandemic, but if someone is going through the same thing as you, and they can see themselves in your project, you have influenced change.

Because they feel less alone.

Liam PROJECT:

‘Youth-led Regeneration’ This research project so far is a three-part podcast series, exploring the lives of youth in Liam’s local community. We touch on their lockdown experiences and perspectives, [and offer] candid advice for health and wellbeing and the connection to their communities. The podcast explores the unlikely yet extraordinary lives and achievements of youth and their communities amongst the COVID-19 pandemic. This initial podcast series will interview and explore the ways youth are engaging with their communities, promoting health, wellbeing and mindfulness while tackling the stigma around mental health.

This project aims to raise awareness of youth issues and funding required to advance the prosperity and development of youth opportunities.

The three episodes titles are: 1. Geez those Clouds Look Good Today!

2. The Ripple Effect 3. It’s Not the Critic that Counts Methods used in this project include interviews for podcasting.

Youth led Regeneration episodes: Link to audio

It was a real eye-opener to me, in terms of the potential of what research can be...where you can take research in the artistic field or in the arts, to create a better community, a better ecosystem, a better humanity.

Richard PROJECT:

‘Inside Voices (Collective Thoughts)’ This project brings together a range of poems from young people who responded to the prompt ‘How have you been feeling over the last six months?’, to capture the emotional landscape of a complex time. struggles and growth.

This project used poetry from six young people.

Inside Voices (Collective Thoughts) The days drag On and on, Another day spent, Confined to the Quietness echoing through These hollow walls.

Time has been Put on pause, I remind myself Life goes on.

The world has Not ended but Simply has stopped Providing the opportunity To hit refresh.

By Brianna

We are batteries. I mean the concept of one person being able to emit knowledge and life through the inner energy that lies within.

That’s why both positive and negative energies need to be flowing in order for us to have power.

The more batteries (people) the more power it allows us to achieve.

And these energies must travel through each other in order for us to reach our maximum.

That’s why our paths must not be walked alone but rather with all aspects of the circuit.

We are batteries.

By Moey

Living on the edge No keys for my place Oh I waste I waste Away

By Ryan

I can’t give up I got too much on my plate Feeding my fam It’s not enough Gotta go push up my weight Daddy said to take it calm The world is full of stresses and pain That’s why I keep my real heart locked like Davy Jones in a safe No throwaways I keep the key Ran out of weed Ran out of Keef Now we are blowing on this nicotine Had a couple moments when I thought it was the ending for me But use my soul and heart to change the situation I see

By Adrian

Notes This Project This Zine was created as part of the arts-based action research project funded by Victoria University as part of their Planetary Health Initiative. Thanks are due to the community partners at YACVic and YLab and most importantly each young person in the collective for sharing their knowledge, time, effort and arts.

This Zine This Zine sits alongside a book ‘Socially Just Research with Young People: Creating Activist Solidarities in times of Crisis’ written about this research. Zines are self-published, homemade or do-ityourself booklets that are often used by political or interest groups as part of underground culture and activism. They are important for memory-keeping and record-making, serving as community archive that reflects a cultural moment, identity and counterstory.

This electronic zine (e-zine) was created to present the multiplicity of mediums, evidence, voices, experiences and approaches taken by the young people, tied together through the collective and our shared experience of life during a pandemic.

The photography featured throughout this zine was taken by the young people in the project. Madz Rehorek and Alison Baker were the designers of this zine.

Suggested Citation: Baker, A. (2024) What we carry with us: A Youth Action Arts Participatory Research project.[zine]. Naarm, Victoria.

In art we’re free, in expression we’re heard and in time we’re remembered Jake 12.9.20