Have you sent anyone a handwritten card recently? Hikoko Ito, a Japan-born artist living in Hong Kong, considers the exhibition of her artwork 'Happy Birthday 2U2' at the Art Gallery of New South Wales is like a journey back home.

LISTEN TO

見知らぬ人からの誕生日カードを受け取ろう、シドニーで展示

SBS Japanese

27/03/202512:40

Play

Ms Ito studied architecture at the University of Sydney. Her family immigrated to Australia about 30 years ago and her late father became an Australian citizen. Her mother lives in Gold Coast. Ms Ito resides in Hong Kong but she thinks of Australia as a second home where she always come back.

Ms Ito's artwork 'Happy Birthday 2U2' lets Art Gallery visitors receive a birthday card written by someone who shares their birthday, but whom they've never met. Free workshops for children are offered too.

In the audio Ms Ito talks about her connection to Australia and how the work came about. We also talk to Dr Natalie Seiz, Curator of Asian Art at AGNSW, about Happy Birthday 2U2.

One of the birthday cards posted in the 366 mailboxes (right). After receiving a birthday card from a stranger, you write one for a stranger in return. Credit: SBS

Listen to SBS Japanese Audio on Tue, Thu and Fri from 1pm on SBS 3.

Replays from 10pm on Tue, Thu and Sat on SBS1.

Listen to past stories from our 

podcast. 

Download the free 

SBS Audio App 

and don't forget to visit SBS Japanese 

Facebook 

and 

Instagram

page!