Hedar Abadi

I was born in Babylon, Iraq and graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in 1988. I worked as a propaganda painter during the authoritarian reign. I'm an active member of art societies across Sydney and in 18 years living in Australia, I have held 10 solo exhibitions, and been a finalist and a winner of over 20 art prizes and also had a studio residence. I have facilitated many workshops for SSI, STARTTS (NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors) and CORE (Care, Opportunity, Respect and Empowerment)  Community Services to teach visual art in western Sydney secondary schools.

I was, and still am a human contemplating nature and a good listener to it. My imagination takes me to an aesthetic conversation with places; shadow; light and various beings. I rely on visual aesthetic language as the basis for expression. I have multiple styles, and I have explored many themes throughout my experience which spans over 30 years My paintings furnish my self inner void. Through listening to depths and diving into human self to expose the pain, joy and gift…I exhibit here a collection of works that tackle alienation and displacement. I am an immigrant painter due to wars. I come from Mesopotamia where I spent my childhood and youth. My home was only 100 meters from the river. Even with finding refuge in Australia and success as an artist, I still feel a connection to the waters of my homeland. Because I’m a refugee in Australia, I feel the same as fish in an aquarium. Australia is a very beautiful country, with beautiful water…but I would like to swim in my water.