A Narre Warren teenager who came to Australia as a refugee has won a leading youth art prize.
Year 11 student Shukria Shukria Oruzgani, who arrived in Australia from Pakistan two years ago, has won AMES Australia’s One Planet youth art prize.
Shukria, an ethnic Hazara whose family fled their home in Afghanistan a decade ago, says she is thrilled to have won the One Planet art competition.
“I’m very honoured to have won the competition. I’m passionate about art and I love painting,” the 18-year-old said.
“But, I’m also interested in maths and science and maybe medicine.”
Shukria’s family lived for many years in Quetta, in western Pakistan, after fleeing their homeland because of the persecution of the Hazara ethnic minority.
But targeted attacks on Hazaras by extremists inside Pakistan forced the family to flee again.
Over the past couple of months, the young people and students who engaged with AMES Australia have had the opportunity to enter the One Planet art competition held by AMES’ Youth Services division.
In partnership with sponsors 7-Eleven, entrants have had the chance to win prizes including laptops and tablets, with the aim of helping young people with their study needs.
Shukria’s winning entry will also be turned into a large mural to be displayed at the Multicultural Hub in Melbourne’s CBD.
AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said many wonderful entries were supplied, all with different interpretations on the theme of ‘one planet,’ showcasing our young people’s talents.
“The judges were all very impressed with the thought and work that went into all of the entries and applaud all of the entrants on their work,” Ms Scarth said.
