International Towers, a business community anchored in diversity, has partnered with global fintech TransferWise to host the “Faces of Australia” exhibition – a moving showcase of Australia’s diverse cultural heritage and the contributions immigrants make to the community.
Open to International Towers visitors and the general public, the exhibition will be on display from November until Thursday 31 January, 2019. A portfolio of 20 images will feature in the ground foyers of International Towers, Tower Two and Tower Three, at Barangaroo. Members of the public can view them weekdays from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
International Towers’ culture of diversity and inclusion is being showcased in the lobbies of Tower Two and Tower Three, coming to life through the poignant “Faces of Australia” exhibition.
The poignant exhibition was backed by the founders of global fintech TransferWise, Kristo Käärmann and Taavet Hinrikus to illustrate what Australia looks like today and the contributions immigrants make to our community, matched with stories of those who overcame formidable obstacles to make Australia their new home.
Personal journeys featured include Igor Kreyman, the founder of social enterprise The Human Connection Movement, who arrived in Australia from the former USSR, now Ukraine, in 1991. Igor’s initiative aims to tackle what he describes as “the loneliness epidemic” and has echoes of his own sadness at leaving behind his maternal grandfather. Also featured is Mahir Momand, who fled Afghanistan after being attacked by the Taliban. Now the CEO of Thrive Refugee Enterprise, he has distilled both his painful experience and finance knowledge into encouraging entrepreneurship in new Australians.
International Towers General Manager Tony Byrne said the inspiring exhibition was as much about the stories and storytelling as it was about the exquisitely-shot images.
“Diversity, in its truest word, means acknowledging all forms of background and identity. At International Towers, we are committed to celebrating the heritage, beliefs and values of our diverse workforce and visitor base. We are proud to host this exhibition which shows on a macro level the contribution migrants make to Australia and, on a micro level, the diversity of our own thriving business community,” Mr Byrne said.
TransferWise Australia Country Manager, Nicholas Lembo said the exhibition puts a spotlight on what Australia looks like today – a diverse picture often overlooked by the images traditionally portrayed in mainstream media and advertising.
“Australia is a nation of migrants. Half of us are born overseas or are the children of immigrant parents, so being an ‘Aussie’ means many different things for many different people. At TransferWise, we believe being Australian is more about recognising where and who we are now and where we hope to go, as much as where we’ve come from,” Mr Lembo said.
Cadigal are proudly engaged as the joint leasing agents for International Towers, Tower 2 and Tower 3, at Barangaroo.