Find Past Artists
David Barratt
Artist Statement
Due to forces outside their control and/or moral and religious choices people have found it necessary to abandon their way of life. In creating this body of work I have tried to imagine what would force an individual or family to leave their land and culture. Whether it be for temporary or permanent sanctuary from war, political or religious persecution or even environmental pressures.
Artist Biography
In 2003 David completed a degree in fine arts at the National Art School where he won the Robin Gibson Award. He has exhibited in various art prizes and group shows including ‘New Talent III’ earlier this year. David has work in private and public collections including the National Parks and Wildlife Service. He has traveled in the UK and Ireland as well as Eastern and Southern Africa.
Francine Courteille
Artist Statement
What is a boatperson? The term is constantly used in the media, however do we actually understand what this term means and why it has come to be associated with negative connotations. The broad theme in this series of works focuses on the idea or concept of ‘BOATPEOPLE’ perpetuated in the media and by politicians. However I have played with the subject matter to imagine the views that have been taken towards ‘boatpeople’ at the different times in Australia when people have arrived in Australia in boats.
Charlie Fairman
Artist Statement
Having emigrated to Australia from England 9 years ago I felt it was important for me to contemplate the plight of refugees coming to this country. I was lucky being English, the systems were in place, forms were easily read and filled in - it was civil and money legally passed hands. In the case of refugees money may similarly pass hands yet it is frowned upon, even though in the case of the refugees they may be giving all they have left for one more chance for themselves and their family. There are no shiny offices smelling of floor wax for people fleeing for their lives—no orderly que to stand in and no fly buys for the often perilous journeys refuges take. My work in its own flippant way plays on peoples assumptions using familiar imagery. Australians pride themselves on their sense of mateship - but does this only apply if you are European ?
Artist Biography
In 1987 Charlie began his art education in England when he was selected for an Art Course at South Devon Technical College. He pursued this path the following year when he was awarded an art scholarship to Dartington College of the Arts. Between 1989 & 1994 Charlie travelled extensively throughout the Middle East and Europe, settling in Australia as a migrant in 1994. In 2000 Charlie returned to his art studies at St George TAFE, Sydney completing a one year Fine Arts Diploma. In 2001 he began the Bachelor of Fine Art at the National Art School, Sydney and is currently completing his Honours year.
Godwin Laus
Artist Statement
What comes to my mind when I think of Refugees? I Imagine what it would be like not to have a home not to mention a country to which you belong. What I have tried to portray in my work is displacement. Where do these people come from? Where are they now and where do they go from here?
The last question is one they will not be able to answer......What is it like to leave your home, belongings, relatives and friends and a life you knew and throw yourself at sea so to speak for a life in a different country which you have never seen and which does not even want you to be there. These people have not got the luxury of a future to look forward to when they wake up in the morning. Their life is an endless series of "meaningless and uncertain today's".
For a lot of these people, this is not a question of choice, but one of necessity usually brought about by dire circumstances that are totally beyond their control. They exist outside normal reality, their environment is unshaped and as far as they are able to tell it is unchanging.
Artist Biography
Godwin migrated to Australia from Malta in 1981. After completing a graphic design degree at TAFE in 1987, he worked as a Graphic Designer with Opera Australia until 1999 when he left to study Fine Art at the National Art School, Sydney. Godwin has participated in a number of group exhibitions and Prizes including the Alice Doyle Arts Prize, Watsons Bay 1994; the Balmain Arts Competition 1994; Waverley Council Arts Competition 1995; Art Competition 2001, National Art School; 555, Stanley Street, Darlinghurst 2003; Grids, figures and rats, National Art School 2003; Cell Block Exhibition, National Art School 2003; Refugees: Artists Impressions, St George Regional Museum; as well as receiving the following Awards Alice Doyle Arts Prize 1994 (Landscape); Winner (Avant Garde Section) National Art School Competition 2001 and the Chroma Paints Award 2003.
Randall Sinnamon
Artist Statement
In being asked to participate in this exhibition (Rufugees: Artists Impressions) I have not offered solutions or answers to the situation of refugees. I have merely created images that hopefully will promote thought and consideration of topics such as ones desire for freedom and security, feelings of helplessness, inequality, the hope of opportunity and opportunity for hope. May your thoughts be challenged.
Artist Biography
Randall lives and works in Huskisson, Jervis Bay, NSW. Painting since 1985 he has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions including Lloyd Rees Youth Award, Art of Place (Old Parliament House, 2000) Project Gallery, Wollongong and AQ Art Prize, Adelaide. Travelling abroad (1995—2000) he held solo exhibitions in Belgium, Ireland, India and Wales. Randall studied at the NAS (2001– 3) majoring in sculpture and presently exhibits with Taylor Galleries (painting) and Robin Gibson Gallery (sculpture) in Sydney.
Kristina Tito
Artist Biography
Born in 1973 in Anguston, South Australia. Kristina is currently studying a Combined Degree in Art Theory/Arts focusing on a major in Philosophy and a minor in Performance Studies at COFA and the UNSW. She is a resident ceramicist and Creative Development tutor at the UNSW Union. In 2001 Kristina completed a Degree in a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Distinction) majoring in Ceramics at the National Art School. Kristina also had the opportunity to assist master ceramicist Elisa Helland-Hansen (Norway) at the ‘Clay Feast’ 2001 ceramic forum in Gulgong, NSW. During the years from 1992-2000 Kristina also studied ceramics at Mudgee TAFE and participated in many local ceramic and drawing exhibitions.
Jenny Wassell
The aim of Jenny's work is to present a personal perspective of cultural change experienced since moving from China to Australia more than fifteen years ago.
Artist's Notes
Windows represent freedom of thought, the ability to see in, see out and reflect an image of self. Philosophically Ying Yang, positive and negative are the connecting links through my work.
Artist Statement
My work reflects the individual and social complexity, which one may find themselves a part of in instances of war, persecution or even environmental tragedies. I have chosen to call my work “Ghosts” as it can represent the living spectre like memories of ones tradition (place, religion or culture), experience of segregation (by other communities or within a refugee camp) and the emotional and empirical transition of individuals and their communities. These situations never seem to be linear and interweave ambiguously with one another, yet despite the often-tragic circumstances of the current refugee situation, inspiration can be found in the will to overcome and survive hardship.
Annette Webb
Annette Webb is a Dunghutti Tribe woman born in Sydney. She has raised six children while attending the Eora TAFE centre over a ten year period where she studied Fine Arts and Aboriginal Cultural Practices.Currently, Annette paints with a group of Koori women at Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation based at Jannali.
Her works have been incorporated into publications such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cadetship Program for the NSW Public sector. Her works have been purchased by the Chinese and Japanese embassies. Annette has shown extensively in group shows, has been a finalist in the NSW TAFE prize and the Aboriginal Education Consultancy Group (AECG) Milpra prize. This is Annette's first solo show.
Mirra Whale
Artist Statement
Doing work for this exhibition has made me consider not only my position as an Australian Citizen, but also my standing as the daughter of a refugee. I have tried to relate images that are representational of trauma and reality associated with not being in control of ones own life, of love, sacrifice and freedom.
Artist Biography
Mirra Whale graduated from the National Art School in 2003. She has
exhibited in several group shows and was the winner of the AQ Printmaking
Prize and the Australian Works on Paper Prize.