Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Kelly Burke

Painted with coffee and toothbrushes: Kurdish refugees enter the Archibald prize

Mostafa ‘Moz’ Azimitabar with his entry into the 2022 Archibald Prize
Mostafa ‘Moz’ Azimitabar with his Archibald prize entry. The Kurdish refugee is suing the Australian government for unlawful imprisonment. Photograph: Natalie Grono

When Mostafa “Moz” Azimitabar received his confirmation of receipt from the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Kurdish refugee knew he could finally start calling himself an artist.

Entering his self-portrait into the 2022 Archibald prize a day before deadline on Thursday, he is still slightly overwhelmed that what began as an exercise in psychological survival during six years in detention on Manus Island has developed into an artwork.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.