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On a white wall at the Islamic Museum of Australia hangs a photograph taken by western suburbs creative Ammar Yonis.
The 25-year-old is one of fourteen artists from across the country to have their work displayed in the Australian Muslim Artists exhibition.
Yonis said his image explores the relationship between recreation, how people spend their time, and their geography.
“I’ve been in the west since I was in grade one…it’s one of the fastest growing regions but I’ve always felt like there hasn’t been a focus on the recreational facilities, things for young people to do,” he said.
“I always felt like it was too hard to play or the soccer pitch was too far from my house, all these factors, they influence what a young person is going to spend their free time doing.”
Yonis said the title, Out of Bounds, is a reference to being out of the city, and the differences between the accessibility of facilities when compared to the west.
“On one hand it was commentary on the relationship between geography and recreation,” he said.
“On the other hand it was a celebration of the determination that young people have to make the most of the resources available to them, no matter how limited they are.”
Yonis said viewers “100 per cent” don’t have to hold Islamic beliefs to appreciate the variety of the art displayed at the museum.
“There is some Islamic influence in some of the works, but most work is just art, something that the artist finds important and wants to showcase,” he said.
“It’s not just photographs, it’s paintings, beading, hand drawings, like there is such a diversity in the artwork and the artists.”
“Everyone’s from different backgrounds, from different states, not just Victoria, so you get a glimpse of the artwork coming from different parts of Australia.”
Yonis said he hopes others from the western suburbs can feel encouraged to pursue creative careers and aim high in their pursuits.
“If I think about where I want to have my work displayed, it would be in big places like the NGV, Immigration Museum.
“[But] also you want to balance that with where the people go, and not just any people, but people that resonate with your work and the themes behind it.
“For me to have an exhibition inspired by the western suburbs, if I could have that exhibition in the western suburbs, obviously that message is going to be felt very strongly compared to presenting the work somewhere else.
“The best outcome for me is to have my work in front of people, and in spaces where they can engage with the material and talk about the reason why this artwork was made.”
The Australian Muslim Artists exhibition will be displayed until November 12.
Residents can vote for their favourite artwork to win the People’s Choice Award.
