The Refugee Art Project

Refugee Art Project was conceived amongst a collective of academics and artists, united by a concern for the plight of refugees to Australia and the asylum seekers who wait in Australian detention centres. Since its inception in late 2010, more than 500 artworks created by Refugee Art Project refugees and asylum seekers have been exhibited to the Australian public. Refugee Art Project is passionate about showcasing the enormous talent, locked away, beyond the razor wire.

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STILL ALIVE Exhibition

The Refugee Art Project are proud to present STILL ALIVE: a new exhibition of original artworks by asylum seekers and refugees in the Villawood detention centre and the Western Sydney area. The exhibition will feature powerful artworks by asylum seekers and refugees from such countries as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Sri Lanka and Burma. It includes the work of minors in detention and women from our Parramatta art workshop.
Elizabeth Elliot @ "Reality and Representation" panel discussion

On Saturday 9 August 2014 we hosted the 'Reality and Representation' panel discussion at the Stanley Street Gallery as part of the 'Still Alive' exhibition. We were most fortunate to have four incredible panelists participate in the discussion: - Asif Haideri, a refugee spokesperson and The Refugee Art Project participant. - Oliver Laughland, a reporter from The Guardian. - Elizabeth Elliot, a paediatrician involved in the recent Inquiry into Children in Detention on Christmas Island. - Thomas Wales, an Aboriginal elder and spokesperson for the Thanakwith people who befriended asylum seekers and refugees in the Sherger detention centre. Safdar Ahmed introduced the panelists and acted as the MC for the event. Thank you to all the speakers, and the incredible crowd that attended. We were in excess of 100 attendees and ran out of chairs in the first 15 minutes. The support for this event continues to grow!
Oliver Laughland @ "Reality and Representation" discussion panel
Asif Haideri @"Reality and Representation" discussion panel

Artist Spotlight

Kamaleshwaran Selladurai

Kamaleshwaran Selladurai is a Tamil refugee from Sri Lanka who spent over two years in Australian detention centres. During that time he taught himself to paint, having never attempted to make art before. Kamalesh was granted a permanent visa in 2011 and now lives and works in Western Sydney.

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The Refugee Art Project is a great example of art being used as a tool for social change. Whilst the project is not a political organisation, its work offers the opportunity for art-goers to examine a major political issue from a new perspective.

Vibewire

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Artist Spotlight

Kamaleshwaran Selladurai