Western Sydney University hosts Amani Haydar’s Portraits of Women Exhibition
Portraits of Women, a powerful exhibition featuring Western Sydney-based artist and award-winning author, Amani Haydar, will be proudly hosted by the Institute for Australian and Chinese Arts and Culture (IAC) at Western Sydney University.
Inspired by resilience, strength, truthfulness and beauty, the exhibition will officially open with an event taking place 5:00pm – 6:30pm on Tuesday, 17 September within the IAC Gallery at the University’s Parramatta South campus.
A former lawyer and advocate for women’s health and safety, Amani was born in Australia to Lebanese migrant parents.
Her self-portrait Insert Headline Here, a finalist in the 2018 Archibald Prize, was created after she lost her mother, Salwa Haydar, in an act of domestic violence perpetrated by her father, and in 2021 she published a memoir titled The Mother Wound to reclaim the control of her family story.
Using visual art and writing as a way to heal and uncover truths, Amani explores the personal, political, social and cultural dimensions of trauma, gender violence, loss and identity, while using vibrant colours to evoke the feeling of hope and courage.
“The artworks in this exhibition consist of a collection of self-portraits painted over the past few years, a collection of various works engaged with themes of nature and spirituality, and a collection of more recent works reflecting my current creative practice,” said Amani.
“Portraits of women feature in each of these collections and are a central part of my practice as an artist who works within a feminist, anti-oppressive ethos. I am interested in exploring and presenting the ways women engage with one another and how their inner worlds are shaped by familial, social and political factors.”
In 2017, Western Sydney University honoured Amani’s late mother who didn’t get to finish her undergraduate studies at the University with a posthumous Bachelor of Community Welfare.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Teaching and Learning, Professor Brian Stout, who was responsible for initiating the award, will open the exhibition, along with Amani’s sister and journalist, Nour Haydar, who will speak about her own journey.
Community worker, lawyer and advocate for social justice and diversity, Tu Le, will be the third guest speaker on the night.
Professor Jing Han, Director of the Institute for Australian and Chinese Arts and Culture said she hopes that the exhibition will create an opportunity for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, particularly in Western Sydney, to connect through art.
“Portraits of Women that features Western Sydney-based artist, Amani Haydar, showcases an extraordinarily courageous journey that Amani has gone through from experiencing the extreme trauma of family violence, to gathering strength and courage not only to deal with the trauma but also regain the control of her own story, to healing, and advocacy for women’s wellbeing and safety,” said Professor Han.
“Amani’s journey of healing through her artistic practice speaks and inspires us all. Building up the interconnectedness among culturally diverse communities is vital to the realisation of genuine multiculturalism in Australia.”
Set to be a moving night, Professor Han encourages all to attend the exhibition opening.
“We will have our very special guest speakers and a conversation with the artist Amani, followed by the viewing of the exhibition and attendees will also be able to purchase a copy of The Mother Wound which Amani can sign,” she said.
“The exhibition is running until Thursday, 31 October and I highly recommend everyone take the opportunity to experience this uniquely empowering exhibition firsthand.”
For more information or to RSVP, visit the exhibition webpage(opens in a new window).
Western Sydney University is committed to the safety, health and wellbeing of its community.
If you or anyone you know needs help, please call the National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service(opens in a new window) on 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline(opens in a new window) on 13 11 14, or Kids Helpline(opens in a new window) on 1800 551 800.
If you are a Western student or staff member, there are a range of support options available for students and staff experiencing domestic and family violence. Further information is available here(opens in a new window).
ENDS
13 September 2024
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