From a tiny seed great things grow

Published on 26 June 2018

In what will be the first major artistic engagement with the Afghan and Persian communities of Blacktown, The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre presents Daneha, a multi-faceted artistic program made up of a visual arts exhibition, artist talks, musical performances and theatre.

Daneha (“Seeds” in English) explores the displacement of the Afghan community across the globe, and the cultivation of roots in foreign, unfamiliar soil.

The program will transform The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre into a multi-functional space for the community. Attendees will be able to engage with contemporary artists, as collaborators, audiences and active participants in reimagining identities.

“The Afghan community of Blacktown has grown by almost 40% since 2011,” Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said.

“I am proud that our arts centre is presenting Daneha, a diverse program that offers unique opportunities to reflect on the experiences of migrants and refugees, and explore the challenges they face when settling in a new land.”

The program launches on Thursday 5 July with a visual arts exhibition featuring new works by Avan Anwar (Melbourne), Elyas Alavi (Adelaide), Zainab Haidariy (Germany) Gerrie Mifsud (Sydney) and internationally acclaimed and Blacktown-based artist Khadim Ali.

Khadim is an established artist who was awarded the NSW Government’s 2016 Western Sydney Arts Fellowship and his work is held in numerous public collections around the world.

“I’m now a Hazara-Australian,” Khadim Ali said. “My work for this exhibition focuses on how I am enjoying being an Australian, and how this transitional period of my life is changing my art, changing my perspective.”

The arts exhibition will also include works by members of the local group, Afghan Women on the Move.

“Afghan Women on the Move creates a radically safe platform for women as survivors of war and trauma, to gather and participate in arts and cultural programs, outside of religious and political influences,” the group’s coordinator, Maryam Zahid said.

Taking place in July, the women’s artworks will be developed in workshops led by artist Nazanin Marashian, and will connect identity and culture through the use of personal signs and symbols.

The program also includes two Artist Talks. The first, on Saturday 18 August, is moderated by Abdul Hekmat and will be an opportunity for audiences to connect with Khadim Ali, Elyas Alavi and Maryam Zahid (Afghan Women on the Move).

The second, on Saturday 1 September, is a discussion facilitated by Paula Abood on work created with refugee women and will include Maryam Zahid, Monirah Hashemi (international playwright/actor) and international theatre director, Lief Persson, from Teatre Dos.

The Daneha program will culminate with the Australian premiere of Sitaraha – The Stars, a moving one woman play which intertwines the stories of three generations of women living in Afghanistan. Navigating war and religious oppression, the women use songs, dance and storytelling to try and keep their stories alive. Taking place from Thursday 6 – Sunday 9 September, Sitaraha features Monirah Hashemi and is based on real conversations and research.

Daneha offers a unique opportunity for the people of Blacktown and beyond to come together to reflect on the experiences of migrants and refugees, and join with them in all the challenges and opportunities that present themselves as they regather in new lands.

The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission to the visual arts exhibition is free.

Tickets for Sitaraha are available at sitaraha.eventbrite.com.au. General admission $30, concession $25 (+ fees).

IMAGES & INTERVIEWS

Download high resolution images at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/74bpkrpwvj0qznp/AABNwyRVEEpSj3nzGY1nbsRHa?dl=0

For interviews, contact Jodie Polutele on 9839 6558 or [email protected].

Media contact: Communications Unit, Blacktown City Council Martha Azzi – 9839 5926 Robert Grieve – 9839 6543 (phones divert to mobiles after hours) Email: [email protected]