Devonport residents are being invited to share a photo of something they love about their
city, with the people of Minamata, Japan, as part of Devonport City Council’s project “Through each other’s eyes”.

Council’s Community Services, Devonport Regional Gallery and the Bass Strait Maritime Centre developed the art and language exchange project with Devonport’s Sister City Minamata, which encourages participants from both cities to submit a photo, or a picture of an original artwork inspired by their home cities.

Submissions must include a short description about what it is, and why you love it, and will be translated in Japanese, exhibited digitally with select photos to be displayed at exhibitions in Devonport and Minamata.

Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff said the project would not only strengthen ties with Minamata, but also recognise the importance of art and mindfulness after a stressful 2020, due to the global pandemic.   

Cr Rockliff said organisers hoped the project would inspire submissions from all ages, local artists,
students studying Japanese and Devonport residents who have visited Minamata as part of delegations, student exchanges or holidays, over the cities’ 25-year relationship.

“Many Devonport students study Japanese, and over the years many of Devonport residents have visited Minamata. In fact, several Devonport High School students were due to visit Minamata in April 2020, however had to cancel due to the pandemic,” Cr Rockliff said. 

“This project is a great way to bring the two cities closer in spirit and celebrate our wonderful cities through the eyes of their communities.”

Devonport and Minamata have successfully collaborated on an exchange art program before
with decorated Koinobori (carp streamers), which were displayed in the Gallery foyer during 2018 and 2019.

Cr Rockliff said submissions can be made until Monday, 11 October 2021 via Council’s website or emailed at [email protected]  

Free workshops to create art works for the project will be held during the October school holidays by the Devonport Regional Gallery and Bass Strait Maritime Centre.

For more information visit council’s website at https://www.devonport.tas.gov.au/visit-devonport/arts-culture-heritage/through-each-others-eyes/ or keep an eye on the Council Facebook page.