The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) conducted a High School Writing Competition in 2005.

My grand-daughter April Seymour, aged 14, asked me about my experiences as a Hungarian refugee in 1956-58.  Her entry about my story was selected for publication and was awarded Highly Commended.  Click to read it.

Heartspace: Heart Of Australia Exhibition - Artspace, Adelaide Festival Centre

The umbrella theme of the show was that all the artworks were donated by Australian artists for auction to raise money for the Heart of Australia Refugee Appeal. Under the auspices of the Australian Refugee Association, Heart Of Australia is an organisation concerned with the welfare of refugees, particularly asylum seekers. The organisation was established with the mission to raise funds to assist those refugees and asylum seekers to Australia who are most disadvantaged and vulnerable.

Regardless of how you feel about Australia's policy on refugees, the fact remains that refugees seek asylum due to reasons such as 'fear of prosecution, torture or death in the place from which they have fled'. While the number of unauthorised asylum seekers to Australia is relatively small compared to refugees arriving across African and Asian borders, Australia continues to use a mandatory detention policy in order to deter other refugees, despite Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that guarantees to all, the right to seek asylum in any reachable territory.

So why an art exhibition? Unlike many other modes of communication, art has the ability to appeal to a variety of sensibilities - visual, mental, emotional - without necessarily seeming distinctly political. In the case of 'Heartspace', as mentioned, part of the exhibition was to raise money through the auction of donated works included in the show. This can be seen as a genuine effort where the collaboration between some 58 or so artists and the organisation Heart Of Australia has been successfully utilised to meet an obvious funding objective. It is important to note that the calibre of artwork exhibited in 'Heartspace' was of a particularly high standard. Some of the prominent artists to participate were Hossein and Angela Valamanesh, Deborah Paauwe, Mark Kimber, Mark Thiele and Kay Lawrence to name just a few.

By incorporating contemporary light and wood sculptures, found objects, textiles, jewellery, ceramic, glass, photomedia, installation, painted canvas and works on paper, 'Heartspace' attempted to cater for all lovers of art, bridging the divides that occur on individual levels regarding issues of concern. This is the beauty of such an exhibition, that audiences may be encouraged to support a cause, following their own beliefs or setting aside differences. While the eclecticism of 'Heartspace' alone should thus yield a successful auction, the exhibition is strengthened all the more by its stated aim of raising funds for a worthy cause.

I believe that both the exhibition and the auction were a fantastic initiative and all those involved in 'Heartspace' and indeed Heart of Australia should be congratulated for their contribution. Perhaps if there were more events such as this one, further needs could be met and changes made in the areas of politics, society and culture, dealing with important issues that this country has yet to resolve.

Nerina Dunt

(Article reproduced by permission db Magazine)