Moving to a new country not only means leaving your home and family, but also removes you from connection with the community. Coming to a new place, that connection can be hard to find.

The Migrant Women’s Art Group helps women find connection with others adjusting to a new home in Canberra, while also expressing themselves through art.

Group members have come from across the globe, including places like Ghana, India, Colombia, America and the UK. It doesn’t matter if they come in as established artists or have never picked up a pencil, some stay for a term, some for longer – but all leave with a connection.

“Art has no mistakes, it’s the way you can express yourself; nobody else can express that because there’s only one of you,” says Migrant Women’s Art Group facilitator, Kiran Grewal.

Originally from India, Kiran has spent many years living abroad and travelling the world. The idea for an art group for migrant women came to her during her travels throughout Australia where she saw common issues being faced by others in situations like her.

“I started writing up this idea that there should be a safe space where we can connect in a new space where we get to know each other. Where we also are comfortable within ourselves knowing that I know someone, or someone knows me, like it would have happened back in our home country.”

Invited to live in Australia by the Australian Government, when Kiran’s family first arrived in Tasmania, they were one of only two Sikh families on the whole island. She found herself explaining who they were, and their belief system. While Kiran says she didn’t mind this, it was isolating. Eventually, they did meet new people and make connections, Kiran meeting her new best friend in the state library.

The family has lived in Ireland, Wales, and other places, always finding similar issues, especially among mothers with young children.

“It wasn’t easy connecting, we come from different countries, different cultures, different beliefs, different values. You are in a space where you get a bit thrown back on how you do a certain thing and it can be a small thing, different mannerisms, and there can be embarrassing questions as well,” she says.

Arriving in Canberra for the first time in 2003, Kiran and her family stayed for only a year before going back to Tasmania. However, they loved Canberra and decided to return.

“The difference I felt was, even crossing the road with my children, people would ask ‘Where are you from?’ I would say India, and they would say we know that, which part of India,” says Kiran. “There were various languages being spoken at that time, I would hear those and I just told myself this is the place for children – more accepting and you don’t have to explain yourself.”

Meeting with the team from Gungahlin Arts in 2019, Kiran wanted a space where everybody was comfortable sharing their culture with one another, a place where they could gather as women. Using art as the focus, she believes it is a powerful medium that can create harmony in society.

“There’s less judgement around it and I felt I can encourage them to share their own culture through art. What happens in their home countries that gets shared within the group, and that information and participants won’t even know that they are breaking down these social barriers,” Kiran says.

Gungahlin Arts helped get the group up and running, and continues to support them with some funding and administration. For the women, there is no cost to participate, and they are encouraged to bring along their own supplies.

Having studied art in Ireland and Wales, Kiran shares her expertise during the sessions. They begin with basics, like drawing, and cover different mediums each week.

“I expose them to various art materials and do various techniques and then they can pick what they like, yeah, what sings for them, and then there’s no stopping them,” smiles Kiran.

The class is something for the women to have of their own, many of whom play an important role in their family dynamic and often don’t have anything to themselves. Each woman is provided with a visual diary to fill out during the term.

“You can write in it, you can draw in it, so it is getting them into expressing themselves, their emotions and it’s just for them,” Kiran says.

There are no strict rules about who can join the group or the time since their arrival in Australia. Kiran says the pandemic has taught us that connection to community and sharing with people is the most important thing. With around 15 members attending every Tuesday, they have welcomed over 100 women since 2020.

“Some have stayed with us for three years and then I personally would say ‘now go out in the community and spread your wings’,” she smiles.

Each term, the focus is on a different country and the women are encouraged to help decide what will be next. Their latest focus was on Mongolia, covering the visual arts, textiles, and introduction to the language.

Meeting at the social housing community, Common Ground in Gungahlin, Kiran says the residents are also invited to apply for a place in the group, while some come and sit in on the sessions as well.

“For me, that was the best thing to do because it is social housing and it keeps you grounded, it makes you think we are in someone’s living room,” Kiran says.

Through a WhatsApp group between sessions, members can ask questions, and share ideas and any pieces they are working on. Members also meet up for an occasional dinner, while some smaller groups form friendships that outlast the program.

New member, Jaime, comes from Hong Kong, and values that the group has allowed her to connect with women from across the globe while sharing something they all love.

“It’s good to talk to women and share our experience of doing the arts, we have fun together,” Jaime smiles.

Bonnie loves that through the group she has been able to expand her artistic skills, taking what she has learned out beyond the classroom.

“It’s fantastic, I learn and do more things related to this at home,” says Bonnie.

Having crocheted since she was six, Avneet enjoys learning about other crafts and how they originated in each country. She says her list of crafts to master is ever growing.

“Meeting these wonderful women sharing their experiences and adding more value to life.”

From Thailand, Chom Chol has a background in porcelain painting but was unable to find a place to practise her craft in Canberra. In MWAG, she found a place to practise and share with new friends. 

Vineeta also comes from India and relocated to Australia a while ago. For her, the group is a social connection that leaves her on a high, while Kiran always brings her back to her love of art.

“Whenever I come to this group, I find that mindfulness and it always brings me back to art. I just love coming here,” Vineeta says.

Nasreen joined last year after retiring from public service. She wanted to return to art and started painting at home. When looking for an art group to join, stumbling on MWAG, she saw an opportunity to connect with women with similar experiences.  

“Kiran just makes us feel like we are a family, we are actually all very isolated being in Australia without our extended family. By coming to the group, we feel pampered, loved, appreciated, and acknowledged for what we do,” says Nasreen.

To craft a connection with Migrant Women’s Art Group, visit belcoarts.com.au/migrant-art

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