Aden Ibrahim shows Somali art is more than war and famine in Kingston Arts Centre

FOR three years Aden Ibrahim has been scouring the globe to find art from Somalia to show his beloved homeland has more to offer than just war and famine.

Now he is putting his collection of paintings, drawings, photos and artifacts on display at the Kingston Arts Centre.

He was inspired to begin the collection when his young son asked him if there were any artists in the now war-torn country.

“I couldn’t believe that all he could imagine about the country was war, famine and destruction,” Mr Ibrahim said.

“When I was growing up I couldn’t think that there was anywhere better than Somalia, so I wanted to provide a glimpse into a version of the country that was beautiful.”

It has been a tough time tracking down all the pieces and the Somali Cultural Association president has spent countless hours on the phone and rummaging through garages in an effort to track down art works.

Some of the pieces even had to be quarantined and sprayed to make but he said he has had a lot of help from the community and Kingston Council and all the work had finally paid off.

“To finally present it here in Melbourne is a giant step.”

Somalis Down Under runs until March 25 at the G1, Kingston Arts Centre, Moorabbin. Admission is free.