Join Space2b to celebrate Refugee Week

The Art of Belonging

Wednesday 15 June 7 - 9.30pm
St Kilda Primary School (Manabi Building enter via Chapel st (opposite Space2b - 144 Chapel st, st Kilda) 

Space2b invites you to an evening of art and belonging. Join Tasneem Chopra (OAM) as she leads a Q&A panel with five resilient and inspiring creatives who have overcome amazing odds to become the people they are today. They will share with us, their journeys and stories of home and belonging. We are also blessed to have poetry readings from St Kilda Primary School students who share their innocent but insightful views on home and belonging. Our future looks bright.

Flavours of Syria canapés included and drinks available at bar prices. Profit from this event will help Space2b support people seeking asylum, refugees and newly arrived migrants become financially and personally independent through creative enterprise. Thank you for your support.

MC & LEAD

Tasneem Chopra

Tasneem is an experienced Cross Cultural Consultant and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion trainer helping business, not-for-profits and government understand and navigate diversity and inclusion using an intersectional lens. As a media presenter, she provides an expert perspective on topics related to diversity, gender-based violence, female representation, social cohesion, social justice issues and equity. Tasneem is the perfect MC for thought provoking panel of artists.

OUR STORYTELLERS

Abouk Giir

Abouk Giir is a self taught artist who arrived as a refugee from Sudan via Egypt when she was 13. Her love of  art began when she arrived in Australia and found freedom in expressing herself as a female artist, which also helped to unburden her feelings - something that she was unable to do in South Sudan.  “My artwork is inspired by nature, my culture and by my family and my friends. I enjoy experimenting with techniques and materials and find joy in colour and pattern” 

Farhad Bandesh

After eight years in detention, Farhad Bandesh walked out of Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation carrying his guitar. The Kurdish asylum seeker fled Iran in 2013 and was detained both in Christmas Island and Manus Island before eventually arriving in Australia after exceptional circumstances. Meet Farhad and learn about his personal transformation from guitarist to artist and now winemaker.

Anudeepa Kadiresan

Anudeepa came to Australia from India in 2006 because of her husband's job. She felt lost and alone so she started learning how to paint at the City Library at Federation Square. Through art, she connects and promotes her culture. Today she lives for her art and has found a new community and purpose.

Shabboo Shariati

Shaboo Shariati was born in Kurdistan, Iran and arrived in Australia as a skilled migrant in 2012. The pandemic challenged Shaboo and as a type of therapy, she started making mosaics and developed an amazing exhibit. Her focus is now on recreation, upscaling and sustainability. You will hear a story of resilience and inspirational creativity.

Anahita Diba

Anahita Diba is from Tehran, Iran and came to Melbourne in December 2018 after spending 6 years in detention on the island of Nauru. Anahita is passionate about art and the way it mesmerizes her everyday life. She is a self-taught artist who started with pen and paper whilst in detention and progressed to oils and water-colours. Anahita uses a variety of painting styles and her art and story are inspiring.

OUR CHEF FOR THE NIGHT

Nayran Tabiei

Nayran Tabiei arrived in Australia fleeing the violent civil war in Syria. She left behind a successful career as a chef to bring her daughter to safety in Australia. Although she misses Syria, she reconnects with her home country through the flavors she knows and loves and presenting her story and philosophy regarding the power of food to connect people.

PRESENTATIONS FOR THE NIGHT

Kid's Poetry

St. Kilda Primary School's partnership with Space2b is a very special one because it allows our children to understand the human cost of being displaced by war and the importance of home and belonging. To support The Art of Belonging, St Kilda Primary School students are participating in a poetry competition with the goal to capture the essence of home and belonging. As part of the project, the winning poems will be recited at our Art of Belonging evening on 15th June. Supporting the children in their presentation will be Clare Larman, a professional performer and dedicated supporter of Space2b.

VIDEOS FROM THE NIGHT