Archibald finalist Abdul Abdullah takes out $15,000 Australian Muslim Artist Arts Prize

A 2011 Archibald finalist has taken out the country’s first art prize dedicated to young Australian Muslim artists. See Abdul Abdullah’s winning work on display in Thornbury, along with 13 others from across Australia.

Archibald Prize finalist, Abdul Abdullah took out the $15,000 Australian Muslim Artists Art Prize for 2019.

A 2011 Archibald finalist has been named as the first recipient of a national award for Australian Muslim artists.

Sydney artist Abdul Abdullah received the $15,000 Australian Muslim Artist Arts Prize, for his new series of works You Can Call Me Troublesome, but Call Me by My Name.

The new award. sponsored by La Trobe University, is part of the annual Australian Muslim Arts exhibition, held at the Islamic Museum of Australia in Thornbury.

Abdullah, 33, said he was honoured to receive the award and hoped it would encourage other young Muslims to use art as a way of expressing their culture.

Fifteen-year old Hashim Mohamed, a student from Australian International Academy is the recipient of the $250 non-acquisitive art prize in the Future Australian Muslim Artists category. Islamic Museum Australia Thornbury

“This award is so important because not only does it show diversity in the community but it’s great for young Muslims to see they can use creativity to express themselves,” he said.

Abdullah’s work will be on display with 13 other short-listed works as a part of the exhibition.

Also on show is five short-listed works in the Future Australian Muslim Artists category, which was open to students in years 10 to 12.

Hashim Mohammed, 15, from the Australian International Academy in Coburg took out the $250 prize.

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Latrobe Professor John Dewar said he was delighted to be collaborating with the Islamic Museum of Australia in giving this prize.

“Our support of the Australian Muslim Arts Exhibition and Art Prize reinforces our shared

commitment to transforming lives through education and connecting with diverse communities,” he said.

The Australian Muslim Artists Exhibition runs daily from 10am to 4pm until November 8 at the Islamic Museum in Thornbury.

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