Ten ways to support people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia
Ten ways to support people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia This Refugee Week, let’s reflect on what it means… Read More
Refugee Week begins tomorrow. It is a time to honour the strength and creativity of people who have sought safety and belonging in Australia.
At the Asylum Seekers Centre, we see every day how art becomes a form of freedom — a way to reclaim identity, build community, and celebrate cultural diversity.
This year’s theme — Freedom, Diversity, Community — reminds us that every brushstroke, beat, and story by a refugee or person seeking asylum carries unique and powerful messages of hope.
This Refugee Week, we invite you to check out these 10 amazing artists whose work invites us all to connect more deeply with the human spirit behind the headlines.
Mostafa “Moz” Azimitabar – Painter
Moz, a Kurdish refugee from Iran, spent nearly eight years in detention — including on Manus Island. He began painting using a toothbrush and coffee while detained.
His self-portrait, KNS088, was an Archibald Prize finalist, and his 2025 portrait of Grace Tame (The Definition of Hope) celebrates the freedom of expression and solidarity.
Kamaleshwaran Selladurai – Painter
A Tamil refugee from Sri Lanka, Kamaleshwaran discovered art while detained in Australian immigration centres.
Now in Sydney, his vibrant works speak to trauma, healing, and freedom.
Hedar Abadi – Mixed Media Artist
Originally from Iraq, Hedar explores identity, migration, and memory through his artwork.
His participation in group exhibitions across Australia highlights the importance of representation and cultural dialogue.
Gordon Koang – Musician
Blind since birth, South Sudanese-born Gordon Koang combines his native rhythms with Australian indie-pop, singing in both English and Neur.
His music radiates joy, unity, and hope — a sonic celebration of community and freedom.
Yasmin Ibrahim Mohamed – Musician
Yasmin Ibrahim Mohamed was born in Sudan. A vocalist and songwriter, Yasmin arrived in Australia in 2005.
She performs African music, blending traditional songs and improvisation with modern styles. Her eclectic repertoire also includes reggae afro-jazz and kwassa kwassa.
Shankari Chandran – Author
Born to Tamil refugees, Shankari Chandran’s fiction often draws on intergenerational trauma, exile, and belonging. Her most recent novel, Safe Haven, explores themes of displacement, seeking refuge, and love.
Chandran is also the author of Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens, which won the 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award.
Plestia Alaqad – Author, Poet
Plestia Alaqad is a Palestinian author and poet, known for her powerful storytelling that captures the human impact of conflict. Through her writing, she gives voice to the experiences of those living through the Gaza crisis, blending personal insight with activism. Her work has gained international attention for its emotional depth and commitment to humanising stories often overlooked in the media.
In 2024, Plestia was part of BBC’s 100 Women list. She recently released a book The Eyes of Gaza: A Diary of Resilience.
Behrouz Boochani – Author, filmmaker
From Manus Prison, Iranian-Kurdish writer Behrouz Boochani penned his acclaimed book No Friend But the Mountains entirely via WhatsApp messages.
His award-winning memoir exposes the realities of offshore detention while championing intellectual and creative freedom.
Ali Mousawi – Filmmaker, Photojournalist
Ali Mousawi is an award winning filmmaker living in Sydney, Australia, originally from Ahwaz, Iran.
His works include the short films “My name is Mohamed and Raghad, We don’t exist here anymore” and “Beyond Christmas Island” which offer a raw depiction of people seeking asylum surviving in Australia.
Fàbricë Ädonis Bisimwà – Dancer
Fàbricë is a Congolese-Australian dancer and advocate who arrived in Australia as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He discovered dance as a powerful means of connecting with his new community and expressing his experiences.
His journey and the transformative role of dance in cultural integration are featured in the short documentary Refuge in Dance, produced by Multicultural Australia
Art is freedom
At the Asylum Seekers Centre, we believe that every person seeking asylum deserves freedom — not only from danger, but freedom to express, to dream, and to contribute. These artists embody the spirit of diversity, the power of community, and the enduring hope for freedom.
Let’s celebrate them on Refugee Week and everyday.
