Artist Mostafa Azimitabar’s friendship with Grace Tame shines in portrait
Out of a unique and strong friendship, Kurdish refugee and artist has created an portrait of former Australian of the Year Grace Tame that is being celebrated at the Archibald Prize.
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Tasmanian and former Australian of the Year Grace Tame says a portrait of her in this year’s Archibald Prize is “more powerful than I could’ve imagined”.
The work entitled ‘The definition of hope’ was created by Mostafa ‘Moz’ Azimitabar, an artist who forged a close friendship with Ms Tame after their lawyer introduced them.
“Grace and I are connected through an understanding of torture,” Azimitabar told the Archibalds.
A Kurdish refugee, Azimitabar sought asylum in Australia in 2013 and was held on Manus Island, where he learned to paint using a toothbrush — a tool he still uses today.
“I never thought I could be a runner, but Grace believes in the healing power of running and encouraged me. I recently ran a half marathon. I have become stronger, healthier and more positive,” he said.
“In this portrait, the road represents the journey through life. Grace’s right hand looks as if she’s lifting the road, lifting the world. By bravely sharing her story, she inspires people not to give up. She is a hero; the definition of hope.”
Sharing some photos to Instagram, Ms Tame explained their connection.
“We are bonded by more than numerical symmetry,” she wrote.
“Like the rest of us, Moz is a human being first. He is also an artist. A musician. An activist. A survivor. It’s a privilege to know him, work with him, and watch him continually achieve the impossible.”
Ms Tame had joined Azimitabar in court when he unsuccessfully sued the Australian government over his treatment in the eight years in on and off-shore detention.
“We locked hands and gritted our teeth with hearts thumping in tandem,” Ms Tame recalled. “The judge ruled that the government’s actions were legal, but lacked care, thought and humanity. It was a bittersweet decision.”
The staunch advocate for survivors of sexual abuse said she “didn’t flinch” when Azimitabar asked to paint her for this year’s Archibald Prize.
“The outcome is more powerful than I could’ve imagined,” she said.
“Moz’s defiant, resilient spirit is embedded in every brushstroke.
“In honour of Moz, I have the Kurdish sun tattooed on my arm, because he will always have a home with me. Thank you Moz, for sharing your gifts with us all. The universe is all the better for having you in it.”
The Archibald Prize 2025 exhibition runs until August 17 at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney in the Naala Nura building.
Originally published as Artist Mostafa Azimitabar’s friendship with Grace Tame shines in portrait
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