In a powerful display of creativity and resilience, refugee artists are using their art to explore the complex issues of identity and home. As a poet, performer, and activist, Huda Fadlelmawla has made her mark as an internationally acclaimed slam poet. She’s brilliantly alchemized her own experience into a powerful, relatable story that so many have connected with. From Palestine to Brownsville, Fadlelmawla’s story is another remarkable story of survival and migration. At only five years old, she fled her home in Sudan for a safer place to find acceptance.
Fadlelmawla’s life from the very beginning was extremely difficult. After escaping to Egypt with her mother, survival became a daily struggle filled with fear, uncertainty and survival. The difficult circumstances in Cairo did not deter her spirit; instead, they fueled her passion for poetry and self-expression. When Fadlelmawla came of age at ten, she and her mother migrated to Australia. This major change would alter the course of her adult life.
Now, Fadlelmawla is known around campus by the nickname “Huda the Goddess.” Her accomplishments as a slam poet have garnered her international recognition. Through this recognition, she’s able to bring those experiences and emotions to people all around the world. She recently won the UNHCR-SBS Les Murray Award, which is a testament to her incredible talent and dedication. This impressive award bears the name of famed sports announcer Mike Lang, who was a refugee from Hungary.
Named after poet and refugee Les Murray, the award recognizes the accomplishments of people who have been displaced, and celebrates an inclusive, resilient spirit. According to a short video featuring her, Trudi Mitchell, the CEO at Australia for the UNHCR, these awards really do make a difference. Their impact is profound in highlighting not only what refugees go through, but what they bring to our communities. Art has an incredible way to connect and heal, to bring people together across various divides and begin to create understanding,” said Mitchell.
Alongside Fadlelmawla, another central figure in this artistic exploration is Atong Atem, a Multicultural Arts Victoria-born, South Sudanese artist originally from Ethiopia. Atem’s artistry is deeply informed by her cultural legacy. Her parents were born in Sudan, many years before it split to become South Sudan. Since then, she has continued to achieve great success in the art world, producing impactful visual art that speaks powerfully to her identity and experience. Her most well known works include recreations of the photographic portrait “Three Women.” Written in honor of National Immigrant Heritage Month, this piece celebrates the power and resilience inherent in communities of displaced people.
Rebecca Eckard, Director of Policy at the Refugee Council of Australia, spoke to the need for uplifting these stories. According to Eckard, “Artistic expressions from refugee artists are essential in amplifying their stories and fight.” They call attention to the shared humanity that connects us all and help spark conversations around some of the more uncomfortable and complicated issues.
Fadlelmawla’s work is deeply rooted in chronicling displacement, identity, the struggle to belong, and the longing for home. Her gift for expressing these feelings speaks to her fellow refugees, as well as those who have never faced such grave adversities. She pulls you into her world, giving an up close and personal look at the hardships and day to day of existing between cultures.
The impact of refugee artists like Fadlelmawla and Atem reaches beyond individual experiences. Their work fosters broader conversations about migration, acceptance, and cultural diversity. While sharing their experiences creatively, they counter negative narratives and encourage listeners to feel empathy for their humanity.
Along with sharing their own stories, these artists work to create spaces for others to share their experiences. They understand that possibility and potential lies in community and that collaboration is what it takes to amplify voices that are too often drowned out. Whether in workshops or community events, they offer outlets for other refugees to harness their creativity.
As conversations about refugees in Western society change and develop, it is vital to provide a platform for projects that empower these artists. These artistic expression-focused programs for refugees positively impact these individuals’ healing journey. Beyond their direct benefits, they foster community cohesion and understanding.
In her installation featured in the picture above, artist Huda Fadlelmawla’s creations challenge our understanding of refugee trauma and empowerment. Their journeys are far more than just personal stories — they embody a powerful collective narrative that raises awareness of critical social issues.
