What Matters: Young people challenge perceptions of homelessness at MCM’s first youth art exhibition

Young people connected to MCM foyers, refuges and youth programs took centre stage last month as part of What Matters, MCM’s first youth art exhibition. Over the three-day exhibition, about 150 visitors viewed the artworks.

Held at Collingwood Yards from 21 to 23 July 2026, the exhibition provided a platform for young artists to share their creativity, tell their stories and connect with the broader community through art. 

More than a showcase of artistic talent, What Matters invited visitors to reflect on the experiences, strengths and aspirations of young people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. The exhibition challenged stereotypes and highlighted the important cultural contributions young people make to our communities. 

The opening event was hosted by Xantia (she/her), a proud young Kamilaroi Woman, artist and Lived Experience Advisor at MCM. 

MCM Group CEO Paul Wappett (he/him) opened the evening with an Acknowledgement of Country, paying respect to the Wurundjeri Peoples and recognising everyone involved in bringing the exhibition to life. 

Get to know the young people behind the artwork 

One of the exhibiting artists, Zxer (they/them), featured in a video interview for the exhibition, where they shared the inspiration behind two of their four exhibited works. The video played at the event before they performed their studio-recorded track, Sail the Sea (visit Zxer's artist account on Spotify to listen to their music). 

The day before the event, Xantia joined MCM staff, volunteers and community members, on a panel to decide the award winners. Before Sean Spencer (he/him), MCM Services General Manager, announced the winners, Xantia spoke on the creativity and strength displayed throughout the exhibition. 

“I’m so inspired from seeing everything you made while on the judging panel yesterday and learning what matters to you. Being able to create while living in homelessness is an absolute strength, and I commend you all for allowing us to see this strength, this part of yourselves, and your story.”  - Xantia, Lived Experience Advisor

Award Winners: 

First Place 

• Artist: Ritter Jäger 
• Artwork: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) (2022) and Rebirth (2026)  
• Medium: Sculptures 

Second Place and People’s Choice

• Artist: Syhara 
• Artwork: Living Spring Water (2026) 
• Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Third Place, Winner 1 

• Artist: Spider  
• Artwork: Meri Jaan (My Life/Love) (2024) 
• Medium: Five framed prints 

Third Place, Winner 2

• Artist: Orbituary Boy 
• Artwork: Donkey At Your Door / The Riot! / How To Be Trans In 2025 (2025) 
• Medium: Three digitised drawings 

Honourable Mention 

• Artist: Ciel 
• Song: Overboard Boy (2026) 
• Medium: Audio track 

Congratulations to all participating artists and award recipients for sharing their talent, creativity and lived experiences with the community. 

The exhibition’s success was made possible through the collaboration of MCM youth homelessness services and program teams, young people with lived experience, a volunteer student curator, and shared services teams. 

Special thanks to Ciel who, as part of the exhibition working group provided critical lived experience perspectives and musical knowledge. 

Madeleine Steer, an emerging curator studying at Monash University volunteered her time to provide curatorial advice and hands-on assistance for this exhibition. Genevieve Townsend, an Art Therapist and AKC Artsbus Program Manager, provided specialist guidance and advice to ensure that the project was inclusive, connected, and supportive of wellbeing. 

When asked about the event, Anna Paris (she/her), MCM Head of Youth Homelessness Services, said:  

“Thanks to all of you who made the What Matters youth art exhibition such a success. We had around 150 people visit the exhibit across the three days, great feedback from young people and staff as well as community members. This wouldn’t have been possible without your energy and enthusiasm.” - Anna Paris, Head of Youth Homelessness Services 

The origins of What Matters 

What Matters grew from the success of the Youth Foyer Art Exhibition held in March 2025 and led by the Youth Advisory Group (YAG). 

The exhibition demonstrated the power of art to engage young people and audiences alike, sparking a commitment to create more opportunities for young artists to showcase their work. 

That momentum also helped inspire the youth-led mural project at a Youth Foyer in April 2026, championed by MCM Youth Foyers Youth Development Coach Bri Tuohy (she/her). Artwork from the mural project was featured as part of What Matters, continuing a growing tradition of youth-led creative expression at MCM. 

Learn more about how MCM's Youth Foyers, Refuges, and youth programs assist young people experiencing homelessness.