“Fireplace ”
Khaled Chamma
10 May → 21 July 2026
Window

Fireplace is a new site-specific project by Syrian Australian artist Khaled Chamma, presented in the West Space Window.

Fireplace reflects on artworks Chamma has encountered during his time as both a volunteer and an audience member at West Space over the past several years. His work transforms the West Space Window into a large-scale drawing that fills the interior of the window, bringing together memories of exhibitions into a single, immersive passage.

Chamma draws on his personal memories, artistic experiences and connections to frame the window as a site of gesture and as a thank you note to the artists, arts workers, and the ongoing practice of art.

He explains,

“I want to represent memory in a language that feels authentic to me. What I like about art is both the opportunity to learn about issues that are important to artists, as well as what the artwork can speak to in your own psyche. The works I’ve chosen to represent are different in their mediums and subject matter, and they all left me with a feeling of gratitude and awe.

The side panels depict my own life experiences and events that have unfolded since my time with West Space. The upper window illustrates the peace of the natural world, a kind of heaven free from the noise of human impact.

The marks I make in my drawing process are inspired by the harmonious rhythm of nature. In this work, I was influenced by both raging fire and flowing water, attempting to capture the elusive nature of these elements and of memory itself.”

With Fireplace, Chamma responds to artworks by a range of artists that he has experienced at West Space between 2023 and 2026, including:

Riana Head-Toussaint, First Language

Akil Ahamat, Dawn of a day too dark to call tomorrow

Subash Thebe Limbu, Ningwasum

Hayley Millar Baker, Nyctinasty

Hoda Afshar, Undone

Phuong Ngo, Inheritance

Christopher LG Hill, West Space 2023 Fundraiser

Juan Rodriguez Sandoval, Yabby Estate

Andrea Illés, no rock, no flower

Chris Ng, Where you from?

Elyas Alavi, Divāl

Tina Stefanou, Motet Fail

Ari Angkasa, The ceilings are always really at the airport

HOSSEI, THUNDERBLOOM

Katie West, Rockpools

Nicholas Currie, Spot the difference (door)

wani toaishara, a most beautiful experiment

Archie Barry, Wall drawing (I know you are out there somewhere)

Basim Magdy, 13 Essential Rules for Understanding the World

Rosie Isaac, Bathtub Analogy + Tip Test + Total Dissolved Solids

Sammaneh Pourshafighi, all the devils are here

Khaled Sabsabi, We Kill You