Art from the heart

REFUGEES are encouraged to enter an exciting art competition by expressing the hopes and aspirations that brought them to Australia.
Heartland’s Refugee Art Prize is now seeking entries in various art forms including paintings, drawings, photography and mixed media works that reflect and express the aspirations of refugee artists who have arrived in Australia after 1970.
Mohammed Zekiria Malistani, of Dandenong, who is originally from Afghanistan, received an honourable mention in last year’s competition for his work – New Heartlands And Life Sweet And Beautiful.
He said art allowed him to show and express people’s feelings, happiness and suffering.
“This work shows that in my heartlands, Afghanistan, Afghan women live with violence and are deprived of education and a good life,” he said.
“In Afghanistan women cover themselves because they are forced to get used to it. They cover themselves out of fear – in the period of the Taliban, if women are not covered, they will be beaten by the Taliban.
“My new heartlands mean a peaceful and beautiful land. Life is sweet and beautiful in Australia.”
Maw Raw Be, from Springvale, was placed fourth in last year’s competition and Hafiz Mirzaee, from Dandenong, received an honourable mention.
A total prize pool of $15,000 will be shared by three primary prize winners, a new arrival prize and eight honourable mentions. First prize is $5000 plus a solo exhibition and artist in residence opportunity.
Multicultural Arts Victoria’s executive officer, Jill Morgan, said Australia offered refugees a new beginning and the Heartlands Refugee Art Prize was a visual way for them to convey what this meant to them.
“Art, in its many forms, can transcend language in expressing the hopes, dreams and aspirations we feel,” Ms Morgan said.
“The quality of art created for last year’s prize was excellent – I’m looking forward to seeing more wonderful work this year.”
Finalists’ entries will go on show at the Heartlands Refugee Art Prize Exhibition, held at fortyfivedownstairs in Flinders Lane from 14 to 22 June as part of the Emerge Festival, coinciding with Refugee Week.
Finalists will have the opportunity to sell their entry at the exhibition.
Entries close on Friday 6 May. For details call 9417 6777 or visit www.multiculturalarts.com.au/heartlands