Jolie inspires art from the heart

A TALENTED local resident made his mark in a prestigious art competition for refugees.
Narre Warren South resident Nasrullah Qannadian, who moved to Australia from Afghanistan eight months ago, earned second place and $3000 for his stunning glass artwork called ‘Star’ for the Heartlands Refugee Fine Art Prize.
The prize was presented by AMES and Multicultural Arts Victoria in partnership with VicHealth, Parks Victoria and South East Water.
It celebrates the skills, talents and creativity that refugees bring to Victoria and the contributions they provide to our community. Entries included paintings, drawings photography and mixed media reflecting and expressing the aspirations of refugee artists.
Nasrullah’s winning piece Star took the form of a hand-cut and engraved mirror, and paid tribute to celebrity and UN Refugee Agency goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie who he said he admired because she helps the poor.
Heartlands’ head judge and curator of Australian Art at the National Gallery of Victoria Elena Taylor said that Nasrullah’s artwork was “visually striking and carefully crafted” and said it invited people to consider the humanitarian work of Angelina Jolie and to reflect upon themselves.
VicHealth, which presented second prize, supported this year’s Heartlands Refugee Fine Art Prize to highlight the valuation contribution new arrivals make to the Victorian art scene.
Acting CEO associate professor John Fitzgerald said Nasrullah impressed the judges with his unique expression of respect for the generosity of a well-known human rights advocate and United Nations ambassador.
Adam Baxter from AMES said Nasrullah’s work was judged by renowned members of the Australian arts and human rights sectors against more than 70 entries.
“The Heartlands prize celebrates the contribution that refugee communities make to the social and economic fabric of Victoria, and at the same time gives refugees the opportunity to tell stories that often need more than words to understand or appreciate,” Mr Baxter said.
“The prize offers fantastic career development opportunities for Victoria’s talented refugee artists, with more than 40 entries being showcased and available for sale at a special exhibition.”
For more information call Multicultural Arts Victoria on 9417 6777.