In June 2020, one of the world’s toughest COVID-19 lockdowns was imposed on the residents of nine public housing towers in Flemington and North Melbourne. With no prior notice, many were left without essential supplies like food and medicine. Community members spoke out about the heavy policing, which prioritized security over health. While the lockdown lasted five days for most of the 3,000 residents, those in the worst-affected tower were confined for 14 days.

The sudden and severe lockdown, coupled with the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, caused significant harm to the communities. However, it also mobilized a powerful collective response. One year later, as Victoria began to emerge from its fourth lockdown, the recovery process had only just started. Over seven months, artists and residents from the nine towers created new digital works as part of Shelter 2—the second iteration of MAV’s commissions program designed to address the challenges faced by culturally diverse artists and communities during COVID-19.

Through a self-determined creative recovery process, Shelter 2 artists and residents reflected on their experiences and the lasting impact of this event. The program resulted in 20 digital works spanning writing, music, spoken word, film, and visual arts, exploring themes of solidarity, family, loss of freedom, health and wellbeing, and systemic inequity and injustice.