'Real Australians Say Welcome': Artists join anti-racism campaign

Earlier this year, mysterious posters with a poignant social message began to appear around Australia's capital cities.

Designed by Adelaide artist Peter Drew, the simple slogan, "Real Australians Say Welcome," captured the imaginations of passersby.

Drew raised the money for his street art project on the crowdfunding site, Pozible, in March, resulting in more than A$8,000 funding. Since then, he's been travelling the country, putting up posters and spreading his message of diversity and openness.

"It's all about just discussing what it really means to be Australian and embracing one of the greatest things about that which is our multiculturalism," Drew told SBS.

Galvanised by Drew's project, Lucy Feagins, the editor of popular Australian design site, The Design Files, put out a call on Instagram on Thursday for other illustrators, designers and photographers to follow in Peter's footsteps, under the hashtag #realaustralianssaywelcome.

As debate over the Australian government's policies on asylum seekers continue to split the nation, and as each week seems to bring a new video on social media showing innocent bystanders being subject to racial tirades, the "Real Australians Say Welcome" campaign is a very welcome, truly Australian counterpoint.

Check out some of the #realaustralianssaywelcome images people have been sharing on Instagram, below.

This guy called @peterdrewarts from Adelaide seems like a total LEGEND. He designed and screen printed 1000 of these posters, and with a little help from a Pozible campaign, he's putting them up all over Australia (in all 8 capital cities!) This week he has put nearly 200 up in Melbourne! Such a simple, powerful and positive gesture, at a time when racist rhetoric seems unbearably loud. I love Peter's posters! But... I think his message might have legs to go even further.... so I hope Peter doesn't mind me jumping on his bandwagon to issue a callout to all the talented Australian artists, illustrators, designers, typographers, stylists, photographers and image makers out there - if YOU create a flyer for Facebook or Instagram bearing this message, we'll share it across @thedesignfiles social media , and we'll encourage our followers to share your image too. Any takers? #realaustralianssaywelcome

A photo posted by Lucy (@thedesignfiles) on Apr 16, 2015 at 4:49am PDT

A photo posted by spoonfulofcolour (@spoonfulofcolour) on Apr 16, 2015 at 7:10pm PDT

#Repost from the talented @lukejohnmatthewarnold I was glad to wake up to this piece of art this morning after another embarrassing public transport incident for Australia. #equality #realaustralianssaywelcome #multiculturalaustralia

A photo posted by Tanya Marriott (@brisbaneinmybelly) on Apr 16, 2015 at 9:13pm PDT

A photo posted by Anna White (@annawhitestylist) on Apr 16, 2015 at 9:21pm PDT

#realaustralianssaywelcome#@thedesigfiles#@peterdrewarts#

A photo posted by Airbrushingcheeky (@cheekyairbrushing) on Apr 16, 2015 at 9:12pm PDT

#realaustralianssaywelcome#@thedesignfiles#@peterdrewarts# A photo posted by CoffeeCaboose (@coffeecaboose) on Apr 16, 2015 at 9:14pm PDT

Meat pies. Football. Kangaroos. Holden cars. @thedesignfiles @peterdrewarts #realaustralianssaywelcome

A photo posted by Red Ghost (@redghostsounds) on Apr 16, 2015 at 9:03pm PDT

Brilliant campaign by @peterdrewarts. And @laurablythman, I just love this! #ebartist #realaustralianssaywelcome @thedesignfiles #laurablythman #ebart A photo posted by Everything Begins (@everythingbegins) on Apr 16, 2015 at 8:46pm PDT

We are one big welcome mat... #realaustralianssaywelcome @thedesignfiles @thedesignkids

A photo posted by Mitch Walder (@mitchwalder) on Apr 16, 2015 at 8:33pm PDT

Work lunch sharesies #realaustralianssaywelcome @peterdrewarts @thedesignfiles @lizlizbobizbiz @momokohatanojewellery @joaovazjewellery @skate_shank @phillipastent @jennacolombini @nrnilanr A photo posted by Gal dente (@gal_dente) on Apr 16, 2015 at 8:28pm PDT

A photo posted by Lucy (@thedesignfiles) on Apr 16, 2015 at 8:28pm PDT