Artists find their ‘home’

HOME exhibitors Zakiria Tahirian, Sha Sarwari and Salah Murad. 196807_01 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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Six artists ponder the theme of ‘home’ in the return of City of Greater Dandenong’s national exhibition of refugee and asylum seeker works.

A striking ink and gold on paper work by Dandenong artist Zakiria Tahirian is among the exhibits in the annual HOME exhibition at Walker Street Gallery.

Other works include a sculpture by mother and daughter Saba Hakim and Zahra Ali, illustrations by Baaqiy Ghazali, paintings by Salah Murad and paintings, sculpture and photographs by Sha Sarwari.

Each of the selected artists, with cultural backgrounds of Hazara Afghani, Iraqi, Kurdish, Iranian and Malaysian, were awarded $1000.

Greater Dandenong mayor Roz Blades said the exhibition, like the municipality, celebrated diversity.

“Since 2016 HOME has proudly supported artists from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds, in recognition of the enormous contribution they make to our community here in Greater Dandenong and to our culture as a nation.

“We are very pleased to welcome back Zakiria Tahirian and Sha Sarwari whose artistic careers have continued to progress since they first exhibited in HOME.”

IKEA Springvale will host a free in-store event on Sunday 13 October from 11am to 2pm.

The selected artists will be present, as well as their artworks and the stories behind them and their works being on display. There will also be live music from local acts.

A series of talks and workshops will be hosted at Walker Street Gallery during the exhibition.

HOME will be launched at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, cnr Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong on Saturday 5 October 2-4pm. It runs until 2 November.

Details: greaterdandenong.com/home