Join us on Monday March 25th for the next instalment in the BEMAC Discussions series; a free panel discussion tackling the important topic of “Creativity and the Migrant’s Grief”. Migratory motion all around the planet is an ancestral dance, an odyssey that traverses horizons, sometimes in search of safety or sustenance, or simply as free flight, satisfying one’s curiosity. With migration, there is often a sense of loss and grief which cannot always be explained in words and is passed from one generation to the next. How do artists and musicians from migrant backgrounds use and experience grief; how does this grief become creativity?

The panel will feature:

Anis is a Chilean muralist, trained in urban painting since the age of 12. She has combined professional studies as an illustrator with urban art, working simultaneously in both areas. She has illustrated for various festivals and editorial publications, as well as creating large scale monumental paintings. She has also participated in various urban art festivals throughout Latin America and Europe, representing Chile as one of the most important female artists in the Latin art scene. Her work revolves around questions of being and everyday life and the emotional states that fluctuate among individuals and society. Her distinctive and unmistakable style is characterised by rich symbolism, symmetry, neon tones. Nature and the figure of women hold essential places in her art. Her work is connected to humanitarian causes, particularly gender equality, environmental care, and the empowerment of women, which are among the main themes in her artwork.
Anisa Nandaula is a nationally recognised spoken word poet, play writer, educator and published author. She is the 2016 Queensland Poetry slam champion and runner up for the Australian poetry slam championships. She won the XYZ Innovation in Spoken Word Prize and performed poetry at the Sydney Opera house. She shared her work on channel 10 and had viral video with 20min lion around the world.
Lisa Tran Kelly (performing as Lake Kelly) is a Vietnamese/Australian harpist, muralist and multidisciplinary artist based in Currumbin, Gold Coast. Kelly’s musical creations and visual arts practice sit side by side as complimentary mediums through which she finds creative expression. Her work often explores themes of impermanence, dreams and the subconscious to produce immersive art experiences. Kelly’s soundscapes include vintage harp pedals, loops, field recordings of the natural environment and a beautifully crafted harp that Kelly built herself. She has played for Aesop stores, GOMA, The Powerhouse, Brisbane Quarter in solo arrangements and at QPAC to name a few. Kelly’s mural works have been showcased at Brisbane Street Art Festival, Brisbane Canvas and most recently for BrisAsia Festival 2024.
Nasim Khosravi has a background spanning almost two decades in theatre, devised performance, poetry, playwriting, and directing of theatrical productions. Born in Iran, she studied and practiced in contemporary performance until her work was banned. Emigrated to Brisbane, in 2013 she founded Baran Theatre, a platform for exploring cross-cultural fusion and innovative approaches to interactive theatre, all while maintaining a signature poetic tone in her work
Moderator: Huda The Goddess is the current Australia Poetry Slam Champion and two-time QLD champ. The founder and creator of black ink and ‘she is ‘ collective. Huda is a spoken word poet, educator, mental health advocate, dancer and workshop facilitator. she describes poetry as one of her senses that has allowed her to turn her experiences into art. and maintain her connection to her people.

BEMAC Discussions is a series of free monthly panel discussions tackling key topics relevant to creators and artists from diverse artistic practices, backgrounds, and cultures. These discussions will be held at BEMAC in Kangaroo Point on the last Monday of each month and will be followed by our BEMAC Discover open mic and performance evening from 8:00pm.

For those who are not able to physically attend the sessions, BEMAC Discussions will be live streamed on BEMAC’s Facebook page facebook.com/BEMACpresents

Proudly Presented by BEMAC, in partnership with QMusic.

BEMAC Discussions: Migratory Grief and Creativity
6:30pm, Monday March 25th
Queensland Multicultural Centre
102 Main St, Kangaroo Point
Free to attend.

There is very limited parking around the QMC. We encourage all guests to use public transport. QMC is only a 2-minute short walk from the Holman Street Ferry Terminal and bus routes 27 and 234. You can find more info about how to get to QMC at http://qmc.org.au/visit