By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Just the thought of driving his artfully-painted car makes Berwick artist Sohail Yamin nervous.
He refuses to drive the ‘SalamMobile’ – it is much easier to drive standard cars than his paintings, he says.
The car is not just a visual treat but a whirl of stories and motifs created by a team of volunteer artists including Yamin over about 1000 hours.
Influenced by the vibrant traditions of Pakistani truck art, Yamin says the car showcases the positive aspects of immigration.
It particularly tells of the Australian Muslim immigration story, including Indonesian makassar boats and South Asian cameleers.
“I feel not knowing someone else or the fear from not knowing someone else creates all the current misunderstanding.
“If people find out what it’s all about, we end up in a better place.”
The car is also known as ‘Rumi’, after the famous poet and mystic who also rose during a similar time of “social and political turmoil”.
“Just as he tried to create an atmosphere of dialogue and tolerance through his writing and poetry, the intention of the imagery is to initiate a conversation.
“I personally believe that some of the anarchy in today’s world can be eliminated if we learn to understand and appreciate the differences among us.”
It hurts Yamin to hear negative talk against immigrants as a general group – whether it’s on the street or in the media.
He instead points to the culture and heritage that immigrants bring, that makes our lives more colourful.
Yamin is a mechanical engineering designer by trade, who exhibits art to “keep me sane – or perhaps insane,” he laughs.
He is part of City of Casey’s art and cultural advisory committee, and twice a judge of Casey Creations art competition.
He grew up in Pakistan, studied mechanical engineering in the US, and returned to Pakistan. He, his wife and child fled when he saw society go into turmoil, he says.
Australia was a beacon of hope and work opportunity. It’s now his home – the country that he loves, enjoys and respects, he says.
‘Rumi’ was created on commission for the SalamFest three-day arts festival at State Library Victoria on 24-26 November.
It is on show at Bunjil Place on 11 November.
