A PUBLIC art show by Wyndham’s Muslim teens is a Melbourne first according to a secondary school art director.
“I believe this to be a first Muslim youth exhibiting in a public place,” said Behije Cura, from the Islamic School of Victoria’s Werribee campus.
“We have been looking at what’s been happening in the world today and how the kids feel about it and we want them to express identity as young Muslims growing up in Australia,” said Ms Cura.
Under guidance by international artist Muhammed Hijazi, the school’s artist-in-residence over the past two years, students aged from 14 to 17 developed paintings at lunch times as part of the newly formed art club.
Mr Hijazi, who grew up in Kuwait and worked as “a professional artist for many years”, moved to Australia two years ago and now spreads his specialist training and techniques and undertakes projects around the school.
This is his first exhibition in Australia.
“He has lived and grown up in Kuwait and seen what has happened and wants to express how religion and terrorism should not be linked,” Ms Cura said.
To the theme, Peace and Justice, images of mixed media reflect culture, heritage, belief, influences of Australian culture and day-to-day life experiences.
Any money raised from “secret bidding” will go toward the school mosque’s construction, which could be finished within a year.
The free week-long exhibition of 50 paintings will be held at the Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre until 9 May.
