At a passing glance, they looked like scribbles on a wall.
The crayon drawings had gone largely unnoticed for months until Tam Do peered closer, and realised she had stumbled across something interesting.
It was a visual gem that summed up the highs and lows of lockdowns.
Do said the crayon-drawn portraits — of children Olivia, Tutu, Anok, Vicky, Isaih and Jasmine — reflect what is good about Melbourne's high-rise public towers.
The young kids had been a constant on her floor during the last few years, playing loudly, bouncing basketballs and charging through the hallways.
Amid the challenges of COVID-19, friendships between different cultures helped overcome loneliness in periods of isolation. Between the children, there were no prejudices, Do said.
"The youth of today is mostly tech-focused, but they have the ball they play around with. They have bikes and scooters that they ride in the hallways."
It was a good thing Do snapped a photo of the impromptu wall art in her building. A few weeks later, it was scrubbed off by the cleaners.
Do's photograph has been featured by the Victorian Multicultural Commission as part of a new exhibition at Melbourne's Immigration Museum. The collection showcases pictures which capture the resilience and experience of Victorian multicultural communities during the pandemic.
Breaking down barriers between old and young
In 2021, restrictions had eased to the point where Kitman Yeung was able to visit her family home for dinner.
After their meal, she noticed a touching moment between her mother and sister.
Yeung describes Chinese culture as "conservative", and hopes sharing an image of outward affection will help break down some barriers between older and younger generations.
"In our family, that was something that was new," she said.
Capturing tender moments
Alejandra Olavarria says her double exposure photograph of two women hugging symbolises the strength of Melbourne's artists, many of whom lost their incomes at the height of the pandemic.
"It felt very universal and yet at the same time, it had a story for me," she said.
"It's interesting and beautiful, and quite a tender moment. I think we can all relate to that after these last two years."
Finding solace during lockdown
Doctor Prashanth Naidoo witnessed the devastation of COVID-19 when he worked in an intensive care ward in 2020, before vaccines were available.
The scenes playing out in Naidoo's professional life were in stark contrast to the tranquil moment he captured in Ballarat with his drone, at Lake Wendouree's T-shaped jetty.
At a time when gatherings were limited to a maximum of two and Victorians were only given a few legal reasons to leave home, the calm of a waterside picnic with his partner was a moment to cherish.
"It highlighted one of the few activities that we probably took for granted. During COVID, we absolutely looked forward to any outdoor activity," he said.
Being cared for by community
The Islamic practice of Wudu — washing the body before prayer — was the inspiration behind Samanneh Pourshafighi's portrait where the artist is the central figure.
Pourshafighi is open about her mental struggles which were heightened during lockdowns. The photo was captured in 2021, when Pourshafighi was able to travel interstate to visit their mother and aunt.
"I felt really cared for. I felt that even though things weren't going to get better immediately, there was the possibility that things can get better. I didn't feel isolated, I felt really held," Pourshafighi said.
As COVID gradually becomes less of an imposition, Pourshafighi believes the pandemic has spurred her on to make the best of life.
The Victorian Multicultural Commission's Capturing Culture exhibition will be on display from June 10 to June 26 at the Immigration Museum atrium in the Melbourne CBD.
