Blood, Art And Tears

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8th August 2008, 06:42pm - Views: 971






Culture Art Blacktown Arts Centre 2 image

   









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







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