Machine Residue

Machine Residue, curated by Yi Li, brings together works by Ammar Yonis, bAg, Ma Ei and Safa El Samad. Intertwining the voices of diaspora artists living in Melbourne’s west, this exhibition explores war, loss and survival, and asks: what remains under systemic violence, dehumanising regimes and their aftermath?

Some works emerge directly from personal encounters with military governments and forced displacement, while others respond to the intergenerational impact of those experiences. Critical yet caring dialogues unfold through diverse mediums, painting, photography, short stories and textile practices, revealing intimate and collective traces of resistance.

Read the curatorial essay here

Watch the Public Program video here

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Ammar Yonis is a Harari-Australian writer and filmmaker. His work spans photography, short stories, and award-winning films, including Hassan (2024), which has screened internationally. He is currently completing his debut manuscript.

bAg (Pyae Phyo Thu) is an interdisciplinary artist working across painting, performance and screenwork. His work draws from experience as a displaced artist across Burma (Myanmar), Thailand and now Australia. Always pushing boundaries, bAg's penchant for larger canvases marks him as a daring risk-taker in the world of art, finding inspiration in the struggles of people fighting for freedom amid conflict, a theme that resonates deeply in his work.

Ma Ei, born in 1978 in Dawei, Myanmar, is a multifaceted artist known for her paintings, drawings, abstract photography, and performance art. Her work frequently addresses feminist themes, focusing on gender equality and the pursuit of peace. These themes are deeply rooted in her personal experiences as a woman facing societal inequality, and she uses her art to challenge norms and provoke discussion on these critical issues. Ma Ei has exhibited in over 50 shows across Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, China, the UK, Sweden, Japan, Australia, Sri Lanka, U.S.A and Austria.

Safa El Samad, a 2nd generation Lebanese settler on Wurundjeri land, is a multidisciplinary artist and fashion designer with a passion for upcycling objects and garments destined for landfill. Recently, she earned a Master in Architecture from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

Image and video credit: publista