Where Shadows Sleep was an evening event focused around fairytales and folklores, and how hearing these stories shaped us growing up. Held at Fairfield City Museum & Gallery (FCMG) on 25 October 2025. Where Shadows Sleep acted as a conduit for conversation, asking us what rituals we hold close to our hearts without us knowing.
The event invited participants to join a meditative Chinese tea ceremony with Wendy Qi Zhang and Galiba, and to dabble in divination with Nicole Barakat. Audiences had the opportunity to engage with classical Cambodian dance with Annabel Hom and Sovanarry Chan with music by Maggie Tra, and listen to the experimental soundscapes of Maissa Alameddine in collaboration with Andrea Lim. Audiences were also welcomed into personal rituals shared by poets from Sweatshop’s 2025 poetry collection ‘Ritual’ including poets Mualla Aydoğan, Adrian Mouhajer, Rania Omar, Meyrnah Khodr, Yahya Djomani-Ousmane, Ferdous Bahar, and Mohammad Awad.
Through artist-led workshops, guests were able to take home magic through a talisman for creativity with Svetlana Panov, and a sigil for protection with Celine Cheung. This event also included a special origami activation of Louise Zhang: Celestial Tapestry.
Where Shadows Sleep acted as an event where humans and spirits alike could meet and mingle.
Image: Sivani Films
Image: Sivani Films
Image: Sivani Films
Creative Producer: San May
Co-Producer: Eb Secombe
Co-Producer: Eb Secombe
Programmed Artists: Nicole Barakat, Svetlana Panov, Celine Cheung, Sweatshop (Adrian Mouhajer, Ferdous Bahar, Meyrnah Khodr, Mohammad Awad, Mualla Aydogan, Rania Omar, and Yahya Djomani-Ousmane), Wendy Qi Zhang, Galiba, Maissa Alameddine, Andrea Lim, Annabel Hom, Sovanarry Chan, and Maggie Tra.
Smoking Ceremony: Uncle Darrel Fabar
Videography: Sivani Yaddanapudi
Tech Production: CrispAudio
Videography: Sivani Yaddanapudi
Tech Production: CrispAudio
Where Shadows Sleep was supported by the NSW Government through CreateNSW.
