Growing with Pride
MEDIA RELEASE
Friday 7 August 2008
BLOOD, ART AND TEARS
AUSTRALIAN ARABS RUMINATE ON CONFLICT, ART AND MIGRATION
In the current environment of the terrorism trials in Guantanamo, Australian Arab
artists and commentators talk about what it’s like to live with a war raging in their
home country; and the experience of Arab artists as immigrants.
The Blacktown Arts Centre will be holding a seminar as part of the public program for
its current exhibition, Tales of Colou®. The seminar will bring together Australian and
international perspectives on Arab art.
UTS lecturer and PHD student Nour Dados will talk about art projects produced in
Beirut that tell the story of a people desperate to forget years of bloodshed. Lebanese
historians have argued that decades of war trauma have brought about an amnesia in
the collective memory of the nation.
Artists are asking why.
Dados’ engaging multimedia presentation focuses on Martyrs Square in Beirut, named
for the hangings that took place there almost a century ago and now, a powerful
symbol for artists in Lebanon.
Jamal Joumaa, whose doctorate inspired the exhibition, will present a paper tracing
the practise of experimental Australian Arabic artists and will focus on two of those
artists in his talk: Mazin Ahmad and Fatima Killeen.
Australian Iraqi Mazin Ahmed uses symbols from traditional Iraqi art combined with
the Australian environment to create vibrant work about the human experience.
Moroccan Australian Fatima Killeen makes extensive use of Arabic calligraphy and
is
concerned with Australian social and political issues.
UWS Lecturer, Dr. Ronaldo Morelos says that the ‘speakers offer a timely reminder of
the reality of some Arabic societies and the artistic responses to conflict and diasporic
life.’
Following the seminar, UWS’ Dr. Brendon Stewart will lead a discussion with the
speakers and audience on the presentations.
The seminar will be held on 23rd August 2008 at 2:30PM
Tales of Colour runs from 4th July - 30 august 2008 at Blacktown Arts Centre, 78
Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown.
For further information, artists’ bios, media package and contacts please contact:
Nadyat El Gawley 0431 446141
NEWS 
