11 August 2025
A powerful new exhibition showcasing the creative talents of young people with experience in out-of-home care has opened as part of the 2025 South Australian Living Arts (SALA) Festival this month.
The Unmuted: Amplifying Youth Voices exhibition has opened at the Adelaide College of the Arts’ Light Square Gallery to give young artists with lived experience the chance to have their work and stories seen, heard, and celebrated.
The exhibition brings together a collection of artworks created by participants in the Life Without Barriers' Living Arts program, a creative support service designed to nurture connection, expression and healing for children and young people in out-of-home care.
The exhibition features the work of young artists who have used their creative talents to express their voice and speak their truth through photography, music, song writing, sculpture, painting, and film.
Co-designed by Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard MP and Life Without Barriers, the exhibition provides a platform for young people to share their personal experiences creatively, on their terms, at Australia’s largest visual arts festival.
Minister Hildyard encouraged the collaboration with Life Without Barriers after the not-for-profit’s Living Arts team received the 'Voice of the Child and Young Person' award at the Department for Child Protection Awards in 2024.
Running throughout August, Unmuted: Amplifying Youth Voices is part of SALA’s annual state-wide celebration of visual art.
Quotes attributable to Life Without Barriers Living Arts’ Resident Artist Phi Theodoros
“I am exceptionally lucky to work as a resident artist with our young people through our Living Arts program.
“Many of our young people are exceptionally talented creatives across multiple mediums, and this exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their skills and stories.
“This exhibition will also include some of the previous works we have created collaboratively with young people over the many years Living Arts has been running.
“This process in itself has been a wonderful reminder of the diverse body of creative work we have developed, and the powerful impact that arts-based engagement can have on young people’s lives.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard MP
“Every child and young person, no matter their starting point, deserves to have their voices heard and to be given the opportunity to express themselves.
“This extraordinary exhibition amplifies what they have to say and their perspective through the power of creativity, and promotes expression and healing through photography, music, song writing, sculpture, painting, and film.
“Art helps deepen understanding about all that people and our communities confront, it challenges and moves us, engenders empathy and empowers us to think and feel differently. This exhibition does all of this in abundance.
“I am so impressed and moved by the creativity of these young artists and how they have found their voices through art, and really grateful that their talents have been nurtured through Life Without Barriers’ Living Arts program and that through this remarkable SALA exhibition their artworks are showcased to our state.”
Quotes attributable to artist Keisha, 19
“I enjoy photography because it lets the world see what the world is like through my eyes sometimes.
“For the past 13 years, I lived with my carers on Kangaroo Island, where I was surrounded by nature, which became my core inspiration with photography.
“I’ve always been an outdoors kind of person - this is where I feel calm and relaxed. When life gets challenging, sometimes I look back at the photos I capture to remember that sense of calm and peace.
“This is my first time sharing photos and music in SALA, but my photos have been exhibited before. “This is the first time I’ve really shared my music with others.”
Quotes attributable to Adam Kilvert, Interim Chief Executive, TAFE SA
“TAFE SA’s visual arts program has welcomed the opportunity to work with Life Without Barriers to host their SALA exhibition, Unmuted: Amplifying Youth Voices.
“TAFE SA is committed to providing an inclusive workplace and learning environment, and this exhibition offers an opportunity to learn from young people with a care experience as well as their caregivers or support staff.
“We also recognise the importance of giving young people a platform to share their stories and talents and we’re really pleased to be hosting this exhibition at our Light Square Gallery.”
Media Enquiries:
E: media@lwb.org.au
To find out more, visit: salafestival.com
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