View from the Docks - In Conversation with Sam Wallman

Join us at the Maritime Museum to hear Sam Wallman talk about his work and have a look at our new exhibition View from the Docks featuring his stunning artwork.

Sam will be in conversation with Shane Reside -MUA Sydney branch organiser and Overland Literary Journal Board member.

In the mid-20th century, a group of worker-artists created the Wharfies Mural, on display in the museum.

They captured the industrial and political struggles of their time.

Today, the wharves are dominated by smart machines rather than muscular men. But has everything changed so radically?

Artist and wharfie Sam Wallman’s provides a fresh, first-hand take on contemporary dock life. His work bridges the past and present, social commentary and storytelling.

About Sam

Sam Wallman is a writer, illustrator and wharfie based in Naarm Melbourne. His work has been published in The Guardian, The New York Times, the ABC and SBS. Three of his pieces of long-form comics-journalism have been nominated for Walkleys, including 'Winding Up The Window: The End of the Australian Auto Industry' and 'A Guard's Story: At Work in our Detention Centres', which won the 2014 Human Rights Award in the Media category. His first longform graphic novel, ‘Our Members Be Unlimited: A Comic about Workers and their Unions’ (Scribe Publications) was published internationally in 2023, and was nominated for a Victorian Premiers Prize, the Queensland Literary Award, and the Small Press Network’s Book of the Year 2023. His second book ‘12 Rules for Strife’ (Scribe Publications, 2024), was produced in collaboration with writer Jeff Sparrow. It was released in Australia, North America and Greece. He is currently working on his third book, 'All Out!: Pink Bans and Blue Collars', exploring intersections of queer and working class organising efforts. His art has been exhibited at the Museum of Australian Democracy, the Chicago Labor Notes Conference, the Australian Museum, the Workers Museum of Victoria, the National Gallery of Victoria Ian Potter Gallery, the Public Record Office of Victoria, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and Dark MOFO Festival. Sam is an active member of the Maritime Union of Australia, and works part-time as a wharfie at a container terminal in the Port of Melbourne.

Tickets: $10 / Free for Museum Members- Enter your promo code at checkout.

Also check out other Arts events in Sydney, Literary Art events in Sydney, Exhibitions in Sydney.