‘Home’ is a simple word with profound meaning for every person.
Six artists from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds have reflected on the word in an upcoming Greater Dandenong exhibition Home.
It features the paintings of Tadros Hanna, photographs from Zia Atahi, masks in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition by Lobsang Dhoyou, pyrography by Mirwais Janbaz, installation art works by Adelaide-based Elyas Alavi and prints and drawings from Amir Tehrani Homa.
The artists were selected through an extensive submission process, and individually mentored to develop professional pathways.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Youhorn Chea said the exhibition reflected the council area as Australia’s most culturally diverse.
“It is a vibrant and welcoming place and for many refugees and asylum seekers Greater Dandenong is the first place they call home after arriving in Australia.
“For this reason Home seems like a fitting title for an exhibition which celebrates the positive influence refugees continue to have in our community and others.”
IKEA Springvale, as partner to the exhibition, provided $1000 to each artist.
Store manager Julian Pertile said the exhibition played a “vital role in helping asylum seekers and refugees establish themselves as artists in Australia”.
Comedian and writer Sami Shah is the exhibition ambassador. He will attend the opening night.
Home opens 6.30pm on Thursday 18 October at Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre in Dandenong. It runs until 24 November.
IKEA Springvale will host an artistic workshop including live painting on furniture, some of the Home artworks, food tastings and live cultural music. It is on 11am-2pm on Sunday, 14 October.
