We all have a need to create. Whether we are a writer, artist, photographer, musician, decorator, gardener, programmer, cook or athlete, we all feel the joy of seeing something that has come from us. It feeds our soul and lightens our days.
But what if you couldn’t create?
What happens to the writer who is jailed because of his words? What happens to the musician who is shunned by her community because of the style of music she chooses to play? What happens to the artist who is locked away and told “You must do nothing”?
The writer may continue to write in the hope of regime change. The musician may move to another community in the hope of bringing awareness to the restrictions placed on others. But what does the captive do?
A young man held in immigration detention for many years said the worst thing about being locked away was not the lack of freedom of movement or the indignity of security measures but being able to do nothing. With nothing to do, there is only time to think. “You are useless, Mohammad.” “You are worth nothing, Mohammad.”
Last weekend I had the privilege of attending an art exhibition of works by those currently or formerly held in immigration detention in Melbourne. A small band of volunteers had supplied the asylum seekers with art materials and encouraged them to express themselves. The works were amazing and often heartbreaking.
‘Screaming Freedom’ and ‘Freedom’ by Sina Pourhorayed
‘Guards’ by Mostafa Deilami
‘Shaman’s Wand’ by Mostafa Deilami Constructed from objects found around the detention centre grounds.
‘Nimsay’ by Mostafa Deilami (L) and ‘Mask’ by Sahar (R)
‘Mudslide’ by Leila Hamidavi
“I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” – Georgia O’Keeffe
My thanks to the artists from the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation centre, the volunteer visitors and Lisa Stewart (originator and curator of the exhibition) for an enlightening and moving event. Thanks also to Elly McDonald for the photos.
Master of Something I'm Yet To Discover 
Being cut off from the wider world and unable to be creative must indeed be very difficult to bear. I’m glad the asylum seekers who contributed the works to the exhibition were given the chance to express themselves so memorably.
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I really think the volunteers gave those people a most precious gift. It’s certainly I’ll never take for granted again.
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These are some powerful works . I cant even imagine that feeling of powerlessness one would feel in a situation where one is unable to express oneself.
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They were incredibly moving pieces. These are people who also do not know how long they will be in detention. Imagine being so limited and not knowing when it will end?
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It’s an interesting proposition, to not be able to create or fulfill our inner passions. From the works of art, I can see and sense a certain kind of loneliness. A sense of melancholy too. The second last one is indeed interesting with the bright colours – hopeful. As Pray said, unable to express oneself can be scary. Sort of makes you wonder who you are.
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It’s almost impossible to imagine, isn’t it? It’s no wonder they are so traumatised by the time they are released. The boredom alone would drive you crazy.
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I’m glad these artists found a way to express themselves. I’m glad you did too. I was worried you’d self-censor and not post this piece.
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I nearly didn’t. But I got the okay and then felt secure to let it out.
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There is a reason children who have been traumatized are given paper and crayons to express themselves. Sometimes words are inadequate.
Given the small examples you have provided, this exhibition must have been very emotional. The painting that struck me the most was ‘Mudslide’. I can’t imagine what it must do to the psyche when you feel like you have no voice and there’s no one to listen.
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There were some that just made you stand transfixed trying to get your head around the level of pain and anguish evident in the artwork. I wish I’d had more examples but I didn’t go thinking about the blog. I was there to experience it and only afterwards realised I could share it this way. (I also have an aversion to photographing art that I can’t explain.) Grateful to my friend Elly for her photos.
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I have to admit, it wouldn’t necessarily occur to me to photograph art. Statues, yes. Exhibits, yes … but for some reason, I wouldn’t think of paintings, sketches, etc.
It obviously left its mark with you … especially since this is a topic you are rather sensitive to in the first place.
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I agree with you. I really like to take pictures but in some situations it is more important to just look and feel and be in the moment and for that you sometimes have to put the camera down.
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“Screaming Freedom” stood out for me as the anguish of being captive, especially when there’s nothing to do. I can’t imagine this for anyone, so I am thankful today for my freedom and ability to be create. All of the artwork is amazing and this was a very special exhibit. Are the volunteers continuing to supply art materials to asylum seekers or was this a one-time project?
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My understanding is that this will be repeated and donations on the night will help to continue supplying materials. I hope so. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to need to express yourself creatively and not be able to.
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I am left with shivers at the end of your post Heather. It is hard to imagine these people being cut off from the world. We spent Saturday with our family who has come from Syria via Jordan. What a difference to see their new lives and the freedom they now have.
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Sue, it’s so hard for us to see how welcoming Canada has been to those needing safety when our own country is sinking to ever deeper levels of cruelty and exclusion. It must be so wonderful for you to see the changes in the lives of your Syrian family.
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It must be very difficult to see Heather. Don’t get me wrong in that the family here has many challenges ahead but the joy of small things overshadows this. I am hopeful a resolution can be found in your country.
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I hope so too. We have an election in less than two weeks but as both major parties have been on a race to the bottom in regard to asylum seekers I’m not overly hopeful of change. But perhaps someone in a position to make change will have a conscience strong enough to make it happen.
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Not being able to do anything is a scary-enough though. The emotion expressed in some of these world of art really makes me stop and think about an awful reality.
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When I was thinking about how to respond with this post, that was the thing that struck me most. Muhammad’s words about not being able to do anything and all you can do is think which naturally leads to negative thoughts, really hit home to me. The thought of not being able to express myself creatively….
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I realize the context makes it different because a detained person is not allowed to make most choices anymore (when/how/where to eat, sit, sleep, stand, talk) and a painter with a broken hand can still exercise those choices. Nonetheless, do you think people who lose the ability to create due to illness, physical injury, neurological/cognitive deterioration experience similar unease, frustration, etc? A painter might learn to use the non-dominant hand; any visual artist who loses her sight could still find another outlet, yet it can’t be that simple.
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I think anything that removes a way you are used to expressing yourself would be difficult. I guess the difference in circumstances is, as you’ve already suggested, that the opportunity would be there to find another way to express yourself creatively. For those in detention, there is no other way. Here, detention is also indefinite so they have no idea how long they will have to live like that. Some have been held in detention for several years. It’s hard to imagine what that must be like.
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Powerful and frightening
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I can barely imagine what not being able to do anything would do to my psyche. These are incredibly powerful works. Do you happen to know how long the exhibition runs for? I’m hoping to be in Melbourne in the next few weeks and would love to visit it.
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It was only on for the one weekend for Refugee Week, unfortunately. What was sad was that the authorities wouldn’t even let the artists who are still in detention attend the exhibition. It must just crush their souls.
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That makes me want to cry and rage! For artists, seeing how others’ respond to their work is a huge part of the process. It’s not a vanity thing; artists really gain from the interaction and from being in a moment of genuine community. But I suppose it is easier to keep demonising detainees if no-one gets to meet them and talk to them. Oh how I hate the world sometimes.
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I think it would have meant so much to them so see how many people valued them and cared about them. As a young former detainee said, in that environment you start to believe you are worthless. Makes me cry and rage too.
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I read a thesis once that literally mapped sectarian violence and division in Northern Ireland. Unsurprisingly, the areas that were the most segregated by religion were the least tolerant. If we don’t meet people different to ourselves, we find it easy to regard them as “other” and justify inhuman treatment. Isolating detainees stops people from meeting them and seeing that really, we are all the same.
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The job done by volunteers is wonderful and shows what can be achieved. Australia’s stance by the major party is shameful. I wrote this on the ABC ‘The drum’ yesterday.
“In Europe; Italy, France, Spain and Greece do try and save refugees at risk from drowning. They have boats and aeroplanes scanning the seas and help those reaching safety.
Here they are given an orange boat or are pushed around back to Indonesia or Sri Lanka.
People smugglers are painted as criminals but they offer a service for which the demand is enormous. The refugees take that risk. They feel they have nothing to lose. Climbing Mount Everest, surfing the seas or clearing lobster pots is probably more hazardous. Yet, we don’t stop those activities.
Who are we, to so sanctimoniously take this fake moral stance in ‘saving lives’ while treating refugees to the point of self immolation.
Shame on Australia, shame on Turnbull, and shame on all of you that take this inhumane and phoney stance.”
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The trouble is that both major parties are as bad as each other. How can we achieve change if whoever is in government continues these appalling policies? I am beginning to think that all we can hope for is an upper and lower house filled with independents and minor parties. Maybe they’ll be able to inject a little compassion? (Depending on which ones get in, I guess.)
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I’m particularly taken with “Mud Slide”: it seems to show all the impotence felt.Thanks for this, dear H ! XO
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I just wish I’d had the foresight to take more photos. There were other incredibly powerful works there. But I’m grateful to my friend Elly for taking the ones she did so I could share something of the exhibition. It was well worth the trip.
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Darlin old idiot, you derive the best from every situation.
P.S. I have been sick all week. Just feel like moanin.
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Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. 😦
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These works are full of passion. I cannot imagine the horror of what these people are experiencing. Thanks for sharing, MOSY.
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Thanks, BB. It was like a view into their souls.
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Thought provoking in the extreme, H. There but for the grace of go all of us!
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That’s the thing, isn’t it? It could be any one of us were we born under different circumstances.
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I love everything about creativity!!! I believe that a creator created us in His image, therefore we are creator’s. It is so so cool how much we can all bring out in each other. Thank you for sharing. Love this.
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Thank you for your comment. Being able to create something is certainly a precious gift.
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Pingback: Freeing The Captive Creative Soul — Master of Something I’m Yet To Discover | Therapy-cooking
Art is very helpful when we can’t put into words our chaotic thoughts. It’s one of the best therapies to express oneself.. 😊
I appreciates all of these abstract paintings because i know behind these artworks tells alot of meaningful stories. Thank you for sharing MSY! 😚
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I very much agree with your first comment. And I think there is an added element to the art pieces in this exhibition precisely because of the stories that lie behind them. Thanks for visiting and for your comments.
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Reblogged this on History Alive – Storytelling and commented:
Thanks for the inspiration you so frequently provide. I am a struggling author (not sure I’ve mastered THAT, either) who began a mere five years ago as a “retired person”. You just have to get over the ‘what’s the use anyway?’ mindset. Do we not?? Thank you, Susan
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