Crooked Rib

Crooked Rib on Flickr

2009-10-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

Drop by the Crooked Rib and Aerosol Arabic photo archive on Flickr.

A knock-out performance by Mohammed Ali

2009-01-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

Graffiti art and eloquent Islamic calligraphy has never looked so beautiful in Melbourne CBD, writes Nisa Terzi

Breathing heavily, Mohammed Ali stood there, arms wide open, staring at what he accomplished. He clasped his rich dark hands behind his head, interlocking his fingers. It was almost as if he could hear the crowd roaring. He had made it - again.

But Mohammed Ali is no boxer. He is an urban Islamic Graffiti artist. Known as Aerosol Arabic, Ali was born and raised in Birmingham UK, a true Brummie as he likes to call himself. He’s a graffiti artist which he mastered since the early eighties.

“I aim to use the art that I do to try and bring about positive change,” says Ali. “When I’m working with kids in street corners or when I travel to parts of the developing world, I hope that through my art I may be able to help enhance their condition, perhaps get them to think about things they would not normally think about.”

Ali has been involved with the arts from a young age but only found his passion through rediscovering his faith where he started to incorporate Islamic concepts and script within his art. He has since pioneered what he calls “urban spiritual art,” a fusion between urban street graffiti and eloquent Islamic script.

“Graffiti and Islamic script marries itself very beautifully in the way both art forms are focused on the word and the script itself. It’s like a hand in a glove, it makes so much sense,” describes Ali.

Much of Ali’s work depicts universal principles of peace, knowledge and patience — concepts that cross faiths and cultures.

“When I went to New York I painted a wall on a street corner in the Bronx, almost in the shadow of the World Trade Centre. It was great. People from all over New York came to see the mural — Americans, Muslims, non-Muslims, black and white. It spoke to all people.”
In a time where people are bombarded with negative images of war, terror and racism, Ali talks of peace and unity.

“To me visual art is an alternative way of expression that tries to reach out to people. My art celebrates spirituality; it’s far from being provocative and controversial. Instead of art that shakes the bridge, my art aims to build bridges.”

Ali was invited by the City of Melbourne to collaborate with Crooked Rib, an exhibition as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival exploring the issues of 14 young Muslim artists expressing what it means to be young, female and living in Melbourne.

“One thing that was absolutely mind blowing was specifically the urban arts scene here, that just blew me away,” says Ali. “I went to one of the laneways in Melbourne and I was there looking at the art. Then I saw a school group with a teacher of about forty kids there and I thought what’s going on? The teacher was showing the art and talking about the graffiti.”

“The person next to me said that it was normal and that schools often had regular visits for art classes. I don’t think there is anywhere in the globe that has embraced the Urban arts scene as much as Melbourne. School visits, that’s unbelievable!”

Ali’s visit to Australia will end with a mural which is part of the street art project component of the Melbourne International Arts Festival. The mural will have the title “a thirst for change” and will address the issue of drought in Australia.

“I couldn’t understand why they chose the mural to be in Spark Lane as no one can see it,” says Ali. “Whenever I paint walls in anywhere around the city it’s usually on a main junction that people would see. I thought it wasn’t quite ideal. But now I understand. It’s perfect. It’s so refreshing to see that urban and graffiti art has been embraced by the people and city of Melbourne.”

The street art project was an exciting component of this year’s Melbourne International Arts Festival and is supported by the City of Melbourne and The British Council in Australia. The Mural by Aerosol Arabic can be seen in Spark Lane between Exhibition and Spring Street in Melbourne CBD.

A Thirst for Change - Crooked Rib and Aerosol Arabic Street Art Collaboration

2008-12-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

Aerosol Arabic and Crooked Rib street art collaboration 'A Thirst for Change'
Photograph by Mugley on Flickr

How do I get there?

The wall is located in Spark Lane, off Flinders Street - in between Exhibition and Spring St. Look out for the Lindrum Hotel which the wall is located directly behind.

One of the easiest ways to get to the wall is to catch the free Circle Tram (No.35) which runs along Flinders Street. A tram stop is located just before the corner of Spring and Flinders St, almost opposite the entrance to Spark Lane. The wall is also a short walk from both Flinders Street Station and Parliament Station.

Crooked Rib and Aerosol Arabic at Spark Lane

2008-11-19T14:59:00.000-08:00

Photos by Humeyra Ozgok

Crooked Rib and Aerosol Arabic on Newshour

2008-10-30T04:36:00.000-07:00

Working at Spark Lane

2008-10-29T22:38:00.000-07:00

Applying an H2O pattern

Humeyra, Lauren, Hosna, Pesuri and Sumaya on the scaffolding

Lamees and Humeyra spraypainting on the top level

Faza, Mohammed and Lauren stencilling a pattern to the top of the artwork

Mohammed goes back to school

2008-10-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

Mohammed's visit to an art class at the King Khalid Islamic College Of Victoria

Crooked Rib and Aerosol Arabic in the News

2008-10-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

'Arab Graffiti' on the ABC's Australia Network Newshour with Jim Middleton

'Artist sprays far from home to help share the prophet' in the Melbourne Age

'Artist draws on first impressions' in the Leader

'Imported Street artist cops a spray' in the Herald Sun

Crooked Rib on SBS Radio's Alchemy

'Doodling Downunder' on BBC Birmingham

Finishing touches

2008-10-27T05:09:00.000-07:00

Mohammed Ali checking for mistakes for the last time.

"A Thirst for Change"

Conversations

2008-10-27T04:51:00.000-07:00

Aerosol Arabic speaking at Melbourne Uni

Crooked Rib members, Amanda King and Aerosol Arabic

during questions and answer session at City Library.

Watch this space for more updates...

2008-10-19T03:09:00.000-07:00

Off Flinders Street

The girls trying to align the patterned stencil to the wall

Visitors, thanks for the muffins =)

Mohammed Ali explaining what the mural looks like from afar.

Boys Street art workshop

2008-10-17T03:07:00.000-07:00

Photographs from Nazeem Hussain

Aerosoling in Shed 4, Docklands

2008-10-13T05:26:00.000-07:00

The girls parked their car at Shed 4 at 9.59am. Arriving early by one minute. Crooked Rib has given "Muslim standard time" new meaning.. ha!
Beginning with our traditional floor sitting circles, we discussed ideas for Sparks Lane. From our previous meeting, we've decided on the concept, but not the exact message we want to send across. Ideas were thrown, suggestions were made, and an hour later this message is yet to be finalised.

Realising that our ideas were not freshing up, it was time to give our minds a rest and hit the cans. We began scribbling random words, pictures, names, quotes and even brand-name cleaning agent, such as Ajax.

Mohammed observed then taught us the techniques to spraypainting. Position, movement, distance and speed are all factors to consider before pressing that can.

After deciding on a simple design to work on for the workshop, the Crooked Rib crew split into two groups to work on two seperate pieces. Mohammed stood back and facilitated the session, giving tips and ideas when needed.

While the girls sat back at the end of the session, hands and arms exhausted from a long day, Mohammed Ali aka Aerosole Arabic kicked into gear and did his thang. He was able to cover all of our flaws (not that we had many *Ahem), and bring the words to life. It's true when they ("they" being Sumaya) say "Watching a graffiti artist at work is like watching a performance". You're constantly on edge wondering what's going to happen next.

Photos taken by: Humeyra Ozgok and Pesuri Ahmad

Opening night, success!

2008-10-06T01:27:00.000-07:00

Mission: To launch the long awaited Crooked Rib Exhibition.

Venue: Gallery15 @ 15W, 15 William Street, Melbourne.

Date: Thursday October 2, 2008

Time: 6pm- 8pm.

MC: Humeyra Ozgok and Pesuri Ahmad

Speakers:

Kathy Alexander (CEO City of Melbourne)
Maryum Chaudry (Muslim Women Council of Victoria)
Susan Carland - Guest Speaker

After months of hard work, the Opening night had arrived. The cavases were perfectly aligned, the Emu eggs perched neatly on it's stand, the photos tucked nicely in it's frame and the skateboards placed high on it's wall. The night had come for Crooked Rib to exhibit their work.

Family and friends arrived en masse. The CR crew were scattered to their specific stations: Some had to meet and greet the guests as they came in, others served food and drinks and the remaining talked guests through the art pieces.

Many were surprised at the quality of the artwork. We didn't know whether to be flattered or taken aback. Many artists were commended for their talent and hard work. Some were even asked whether their artwork was up for sale. This has yet to be discussed.

We, Crooked Rib would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for coming and supporting us. To our family and friends, Jazakallah Khair.

Absent: Sarah Mahri and Faza Fauzi

Skyping with Mohammed Ali

2008-10-06T01:21:00.000-07:00

The hub they meet
Crooked Rib take a seat
With just one click
Really, that quick?

We connect to Mohammed
All the way from the UK
To discuss our upcoming wall
One which will take many days.

Many ideas
We had to discuss
From layout to messages
...All that artistic fuss.

Basics were established
Alot more to think through
One thing for certain
A message that you can relate to.

The only thing certain,
A message that you can relate to.

Photo taken by Lauren Thomas

Crooked Rib & Aerosol Arabic

2008-09-19T00:25:00.001-07:00

Decisions, decisions…

2008-09-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

Some bright spark went and found us a wall

2008-08-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

Spark Lane, off Flinders Street (in between Exhibition and Spring Streets).

Walk up Spark Lane and turn right to see where we'll be working with Aerosol Arabic in October.

Now we've just got to find some scaffolding!

Five Times a Day - Work in Progress

2008-08-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

New Doco being Produced

2008-08-19T18:23:00.000-07:00

Melbourne film director, Thomas Baricevic comes on board in collaboration with the City of Melbourne to produce a documentary ‘Aerosol Arab and the Crooked Ribs’. Filming will take place during the month of October following UK street artist Mohammed Ali, otherwise known as Aerosol Arabic, for three weeks, as he works with Crooked Rib on a street art mural in the Melbourne CBD.

Thomas aims to bring to the documentary a "flavour which will reflect the ideas and concept being achieved by the Crooked Rib crew and Aerosol Arabic”.

Look out for snippets of the doco in the coming months!

Mohammed Ali and Amanda King in London

2008-07-31T18:03:00.001-07:00

Artists Amanda King and Mohammed Ali at Islam Expo, London

Crooked Rib & Aerosol Arabic in the Melbourne International Arts Festival Program

2008-07-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

Mohammed Ali (Aerosol Arabic)

There’s lots of exciting news to report on behalf of the Crooked Rib crew who have been busy preparing for the exhibition in October.

Our first piece of news is that Crooked Rib is part of the program for this year's Melbourne International Arts Festival. It is a great privilege for us to be a part of the festival and we are very excited! You can download and view the program on the festival’s website.

If you take a look at the program, you’ll also notice that we have a very special guest coming in October, UK street artist Mohammed Ali, otherwise known as Aerosol Arabic. Mohammed will be residing in Melbourne for three weeks to work with Crooked Rib on a street art mural in the Melbourne CBD. This is sure to be an amazing collaboration.

The last piece of news is that Crooked Rib artist Sara Elagha’s excellent (and funny) short film ‘The Interview’ screened at ACMI as part of the Multicultural Arts Victoria project Stories of an African Australia. If you didn’t get a chance to see the film at ACMI, don’t worry as it will also feature in the Crooked Rib exhibition.

The Wall Within

2008-06-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

My project - 'The Wall Within' is based predominantly on the visual response of people towards the The Wall. What 'Wall' you ask? -- The project’s title ‘The Wall Within’ is a play on words from the phrase: ‘The War Within’ – which reflect the walls or barriers we have within all of us, and the ongoing struggle to overcome our fears and inner conflicts.

So what I will need is the contribution of all your creative minds! Just dig deep down for any photos of walls which you might have taken in the past, or get your camera lens ready for any interesting walls that you might come across.

Just remember, the main visual theme of my project is walls with flaws, fractures or cracks

I have set up a flickr group for those of you who have a Flickr account and can join my group: www.flickr.com/groups/wallwithin or alternatively please email me the photos: lamees.hajhusien@gmail.com

Thanks guys! And I'm looking forward to seeing those awesome images soon :)

*Here is the disclaimer you need to be aware of - in case you wanted to forward this on to others not involved in the creative project.

'With your permission, a selection of these images will be displayed in the exhibition Crooked Rib at Gallery: 15W on William Street, Melbourne from 2nd to 23rd of October, 2008. Please inform me if you would not like your photos displayed publicly.'

Lamees

P.S. I've also attached an image I have received so far as contribution to my project...so you get the idea :)

Job Interview

2008-06-10T20:54:00.000-07:00

Sara (in the middle) directing her short film 'Job Interview' as part of Multicultural Arts Victoria's Stories of an African Australia film project.

More pictures to come...

Work in Progress

2008-05-20T17:06:00.001-07:00

Faza and Hosna at work

Stencilling

2008-05-15T23:01:00.000-07:00

There's something extraordinarily fulfilling about exploring your creative juices in an open space... over Moroccan cuisine...
Today we worked at Amanda's studio; a stock of paints, aerosols, brushes, canvases, and other art material helped each one of us into bringing her workpiece to life. Lauren (above) sprayed her stencil to perfection, while Sumaya contoured calligraphy on her canvas and Pesuri frantically mixed her paints to the right shades of red.
Faza's meticulous pattern-cutting came to a halt as soon as the words 'Morrocan Soup Bar' were mentioned, but it was well worth it. An intimate floor-seated dining arrangement amongst fabrics and paint buckets, with finger-lickin' eating techniques was just the way to end the night!

Futurelab: Design and Create the Future of Melbourne

2008-05-08T18:49:00.000-07:00

Futurelab is a two day forum for Y Generation Melburnians to provide their feedback on the Draft Plan and create, innovate and inspire the future of Melbourne.

Visit Futurelab to find out more information and register for the forum.

Sounds like something for Crooked Rib to get involved in!

Taking Shape

2008-05-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

The last two workshops were all about Crooked Rib's taking shape into becoming...Crooked Rib!

We took our gear back to Stellar Images studio one last time to give it our best shot. Costumes, maps, books, fliers, fabric, light projectors, you name it, it was all there for photographing our tweaked self expressions. Thank you photo studio people =)

Last stop we had was back at The Hub for further discussion in a 'where to from here?' format, over scrumptious Lebanese cuisine. Basically each one finalizing what they'd like to do for the gig, while trying to intensely discuss self-purpose AND appear relatively normal for the duration of Hella's video filming of us! (Cameo appearance by Hella).

Photos by Pamela Kleemann

Label Me

2008-04-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

At this week's workshop we played around with the idea of 'labels.'
We wrote stuff down on sticky labels and had a bit of an impromptu "photoshoot" (in the terribly lit meeting room) which turned out quite well.
Our labels represent the way we see ourselves, whether it be serious or silly, and the way outsiders might view us.

Check out the photos here.

Stencil

2008-04-16T22:12:00.001-07:00

What's with the Crooked Rib?

2008-04-15T23:34:00.000-07:00

It’s simple. ‘Crooked’ is a description. A feature. A form.

No.
It’s NOT a defect of creation.
It’s NOT an insult to thinking.
It’s NOT another word for ‘dodgy’.

It’s only a matter of design.
A required design for functioning inside the body.
A required design for protecting a most important organ inside the body… the heart.

A Prophetic tradition in the Muslim faith mentions:

‘Women are created from the rib, which is naturally crooked, and its crookedness is more at the top; if you try to straighten it by force it will break; if you leave it, it will stay as it is. So accept my advice and treat your wives with kindness.’

Contrary to popular belief, ‘crooked’ is just another one of the many ways to simply articulate on a woman’s complexities and expansions of unique personality and temperament. A detail that is by no means regarded in Islam as a way to inferior a woman’s status or thinking to man’s, but rather to explain a normal trait functioning for humanity.

Basically, this tradition is every man’s guide to dealing with women in a just manner without imposing his thinking, or attempting to re-mould her in a manner harsh enough to break her spirit and wounding her heart.

Simply put, it’s how not to try reforming a rib to the degree of breaking it.

We, the women of this project, chose this name for a number of reasons.
Firstly to express our pride in how we were created to function with the other, in unison, whether it be gender, faith, race or else, for a great humanity.

Secondly to use a generic term to join other’s perceptions with ours as a protective function to maintain harmony and reconciliation for our societies.

Finally to express the flaws in the misinterpretations of our faith made by those claiming to hear our case, yet unwilling to hear our voice.

So please…
Crooked, is beautiful.
Crooked, is natural.
Crooked, protects.
Crooked, functions for humanity’s sake.
We are proudly…Crooked Rib.

Badgemaking

2008-04-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

There's something about using a badge as a silent device to voice an expression whether it's an identity, an opinion, a concern, a thought or simply a question. It's versatility in fashion, campaigning or just collecting makes it a tempting area of fun exploration that we just couldn't miss out on!
Todays session was all about playful zoom-in on pattern, text, and color as a focus on our just-for-fun moods!

Sydney Road, Brunswick

2008-04-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

Photos by Pamela

Kleemann

Like a Tiger

2008-04-07T00:20:00.000-07:00

Thursday 13th of March saw the Crooked Rib crew at a different location at 5:30pm (muslim time... meaning 5:45pm). “Steller Images” in Brunswick was our temporary home. It was a scorching hot day, but we all showed up in style, donning either abbayahs for the group shot or our outfits for our individual shots.

A creative vibe was in the air as each of the girls modelled their unique ideas in front of the cameras. There were campers and backpackers, musicians, tomato paste spillage, silly string, party poppers, scarves thrown around and others being worn, dancing, colourful paper designs and bold statements and words being projected.

Although being a model was fun, it turned out not as glamorous as once thought. We ended the shoot as the sky darkened with group shots. We modelled ‘asian pose (peace sign)’, ‘asian laugh (shy giggle behind our hands)’ and ‘be a tiger’ as a group in our tradition black Arabian abbayahas.

Like a tiger? Yes we are.

Loz

(image of Hella by Sara)

Drive-By Post

2008-03-22T03:24:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd just drop a quick link to my flickr page where you can check out photos documenting what the Crooked Rib ladies have been up to lately.

Cooking Our Ideas Together

2008-03-06T11:11:00.000-08:00

As we all stood around eating delicious A1 bakery pies, we were laughing hysterically both in embarrassment & amazement over last week’s pattern photography workshop – which involved about ten to fifteen of us girls standing in a group and making pattern formations – attempting to reflect those of various Islamic patterns and designs. The outcome of that workshop was definitely a success, as the developed photos looked sensational.

Next on the agenda was our preparation for the following week, which was our studio photo shoot in Brunswick. We all sat around in a circle and mainly brainstormed different ideas we wanted to convey both individually and as a group about how we wanted the world to view us. Many of us wanted to display different aspects of our characteristics. While others just wanted to show their hobbies and interests through the use of props and special effects. Some of the props we will be bringing along to the shoot include skateboards, musical instruments, photographs, old tattered clothes, sporting gear, corporate clothing and ‘Abbayas’ - or full covering traditional Islamic garments.

To try and work as efficiently as possible in the limited timeframe given in the studio, we have all been assigned ten-minute time slots, in which to do our individual photos and our group photo will be pushed forward towards the end of the workshop. Hopefully by then everyone would have arrived! ;-)

Great brainstorming today people! Looking forward to next week :D

Human Art

2008-03-03T19:43:00.001-08:00

The 28th of February bought us closer to the end of a month, but opened our eyes to a different way of expressing patterns: using ourselves. We started the workshop by indulging in delicious salad and chicken rolls and some danishes and muffins, everyone was update on the upcoming dates and ‘Crooked Rib’ news and we began the task requested by Faza: making shapes and patterns using our bodies. Sara photographed the patterns we made on the floor from a bird’s eye view (as close to one as possible) and Faza directed our hands and legs and feet and heads. Eventually, as a group, we came up with ideas regarding the placement of our hands and so on and even worked out a synchronised and choreographed piece of movement. It was a real, fun bonding experience between the girls as some of the poses reminded us of a game of ‘Twister’. It was a very cool experience using ourselves and our teamwork as the medium for a piece of art. Can’t wait to see how the photos turned out!

Recyclable Patterns

2008-03-03T19:42:00.001-08:00

We were thinking patterns on the following Thursday as well as ideas for our individual pieces. The 21st of February workshop consisted of Lamees, Isma, Nadia, Hella, Veronika and I sorting out all the little bits and pieces of plastic and recycled everyday items Amanda had bought along into coloured piles. Meanwhile, Sumaya, Humeyra, Faza, Reeham and Pesuri worked out the design on the floor with pieces of string and sticky tape. While some of us filled in the design on the floor with designs made out of the bits and pieces of plastic and recycled items, others discussed their project ideas with Amanda. After we had arranged the colour coded bits and pieces as patterns on the floor, at the end of the session, we packed up the pieces by satisfyingly running through the design and messing up the pattern. We had taken pictures of it beforehand so it was all documented. Lisa brought in a macro SLR camera lens and Humeyra, Sara, Nadia and I had fun playing around with it. The world is so detailed through a macro lens!

Spray paint the Love

2008-03-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

Apart from February 14th being Valentine’s Day and the day my car registration was to be paid by, it was also the Stencil and Street Art Night! Not only were we drawing and cutting out our own stencils and spray painting the design or picture we were also being fed by Reeham who made a delicious Egyptian dish for us. Amanda ran through how we draw and cut out stencils and how we use spray paint. We had a little workstation set up outside with the spray paint and plastic sheets on the floor. This week we were joined by Ramla, Nadia and baby Luqman, Hella and Isma. The girls came up with awesome, individual and creative stencils; Zeina spray painted an intricate zebra print in a few different colours, Sumaya designed some Islamic stencils and flowery patterns, Pesuri and Isma stencilled their names abstractly, Sara started a trend with her starry lightning bolt, Hella stencilled her name in Arabic, Nadia stencilled an artistic hut, Faza worked on a beautiful design involving hair and butterflies, Rumla spray painted a calm stencil of a person sitting down, I showed some defiance with my spray painted fist and Jasmine spelt out ‘love’. We sat down to think of a name. It took a few workshops and long discussions on Facebook and via email but success finally followed! Lisa unveiled the name ‘Crooked Rib’ the following morning.

“And Shake your Hips”

2008-03-03T19:39:00.002-08:00

Thursday the 7th of February we celebrated the beginning of Feb with the Music and Rhythm workshop. We had an awesome array of all kinds of musical genres. From Arabic music to rock to the Beatles to Cuban beats. Lamees brought a belly dancing belt and we all got creative. Jasmine showed us her music collection while Faza and Reeham cartwheeled and posed for Sara and her camera mid-jump in the air. There were belly dancing classes going on and Humeyra photographed Lameese showing us how to do the Lebanese dabke. Pesuri and Faza got ‘fully sick’ with breakdancing poses as I constantly snacked and Reeham frantically tried to find some breakdancing beats on her MP3. Our workshop ended at 8pm as the Hub was booked by the Rowing Club. As we watched the members of the Rowing Club walk in quite puzzled as to why there was a bunch of Muslim girls taking photos of Muslim girls in breakdancing poses, we decided to decide on a name for our project next week.

Painting the town red (with Henna)

2008-03-03T19:39:00.001-08:00

The move to our new home the Hub at Docklands took place on Thursday 31st of January. It was our first ‘real’ workshop and the theme was ‘henna’. Sara, Lamees, Reeham, Humeyra and I walked from the Southern Cross airport-looking station to Docklands and right past the Hub until someone pointed it out to us. Amanda had bought some henna tubes from the halal butcher and Faza had printed out some designs. We drew all over each other, ourselves and on clear sheets of plastic. Zeina decorated Lisa’s arm. We took photos and posed for photos with the cardboard-people and ate fruit, cheese and crackers and cake. Lisa reminded us our project was still without a name and we needed to conjure one up quickly so that in meetings with the City of Melbourne she could refer to us by name instead of ‘the creative project group’. After cleaning the henna off ourselves, and certain areas of the carpet, we sat down and discussed names. The verdict: we’ll sleep on it and work on it next week. Perhaps the Music and Rhythm workshop would inspire a name.

Each a Style to their Own

2008-03-03T19:37:00.000-08:00

The 24th of January saw us back at Ross House, this time with Zeina, Sara, Sumaya, Faza, Reeham, Marym, Amanda and I bringing along items which inspired us, artwork we painted or drew, images we found beautiful and interesting, photos taken by us or others and magazines and books which showcased all types of art and expression. It was great seeing what motivates and inspires everyone and the art created by the girls. What became apparent was the difference in the kind of style and art that the girls enjoyed and employed, which was cool. Amanda showed us pictures of work by artists in different styles and genres and after class some of us checked out one of her recently finished street art pieces in the CBD. One thing I realised and really enjoyed during this meeting was the difference in creativity of each of us who attended and that there are different reasons why people produce the work that they do, whether it be painting or photography or graphic design. We couldn’t wait to get stuck in to something the next week!

Introductions, Ideas and all that Jazz

2008-03-03T19:29:00.000-08:00

Ross House in Flinders Lane was the home of the very first 2008 Creative Art Project meeting. We all sat in a circle and introduced ourselves and very shortly after initial hesitations, we were involved in a discussion based on identity, how we define ‘Australian’, our hopes for the project, views of the Melbournian Muslim Community, multiculturalism and fruit salad. Lisa scribbled down our ideas and opinions as fast as she could on the whiteboard while Reeham, Sumaya, Zeina, Sara, Faza, Jasmine, Amanda, Manal, Veronika and I discussed away. After a short tea break we all decided for the project to consist of both individual and group art pieces, depending on what each person decides to do. We also agreed that a combination and compilation of different mediums will endeavour to be used and explored during the weekly workshops giving everybody opportunities to try out new things and come up with ideas for their final pieces.