The collograph print titled ‘The Crooked Narrative’ fuses images of a pomegranate and a hand grenade.

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO, said the University is committed to supporting initiatives such as the Australian Muslim Artists Art Prize which build strong connections with Australia’s diverse communities.

“…….The seventeen shortlisted works represent the depth of talent among Muslim artists and highlight the cultural diversity of Muslims in Australia. In 2021, artists included those who migrated from countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, India and Malaysia.

Further, this year, a record number of female artists submitted work, and were included in the shortlist.

“La Trobe congratulates Fatima Killeen on her work, The Crooked Narrative. It is a piece of great depth and complexity and is a worthy winner,” Professor Dewar said.

“La Trobe University is honoured to sponsor the Prize and delighted to welcome the first female recipient with such a powerful work.”

Shortlisting for Australian Muslim Artists was conducted by a panel of judges including Dr Stefano Carboni, currently CEO of the Museums Commission for the Ministry of Culture, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Bala Starr, Director of La Trobe Art Institute; community representative Dr Anisa Buckley and IMA curator, Dr Mahmoud Mohammed.

The Australian Muslim Artists exhibition is on [virtual] display from 20 August – 20 November 2021 at the Islamic Museum and guests can see the physical exhibition when the IMA re-opens.

Read the full La Trobe announcement

From the SBS article – “The Crooked Narrative, a collagraph print showing a fused pomegranate and hand grenade, is part of Fatima Killeen’s ongoing work on human rights, conflict, and migration.”

The use of the pomegranate – considered to have sacred life-giving qualities – and the hand grenade against a traditional Islamic geometric tile pattern is, she says, important in understanding the lives of Muslims.

“There is beauty and a message in Islamic art. [We want] to make people aware of what is going on,” says Killeen.