Major New Exhibition by Vipoo Srivilasa Celebrates Migration Stories Through Ceramics

A compelling new exhibition by acclaimed Thai-born Australian artist Vipoo Srivilasa will visit The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), inviting audiences to explore the deeply personal and universal experiences of migration through striking large-scale ceramic works.

re/JOY, presented by the Australian Design Centre ‘On Tour’, honours the stories of people from around the world who, like Vipoo, now call Australia home. The exhibition brings together community, memory, and identity through ceramic sculpture, created from donated broken objects that once held deep personal meaning.

In 2023, Vipoo issued a national call-out for broken ceramic items accompanied by the stories behind them. From the heartfelt submissions, he selected seven pieces that resonated most-among them, a teapot from Korea, a terracotta tile from India, and a clay sculpture from Mexico. Though damaged, these objects were still valued, becoming the inspiration for eight new ceramic works standing 1.5 metres tall. The eighth sculpture tells Vipoo’s own migration story, centred on a button from his grandfather-an object rich with memory and symbolism.

A celebration of resilience and connection, re/JOY is a deeply collaborative and community-driven exhibition. It explores the emotional ties we form with everyday items, the complexities of relocation, and the challenges of establishing a new life in Australia. Through this lens, it also reflects on the diverse meanings of home.

This national touring exhibition is supported by the Australian Government through the Visions of Australia program and Creative Australia.

Its open at TMAG on the 11 July 2025 through to 24 August 2025.