Setara Shafaie, was born in 2007, is a passionate artist with a profound love for painting, pyrography, drawing, clay, watercolor, and miniature art. Her journey began in her homeland, where she and her family faced challenging circumstances that prompted their migration to India in search of a brighter future, at the age of 10.

Her passion for art has always been immense, she devoted herself entirely to her art, attending classes which were held in a home with an Afghani teacher, starting in 2021. Her mother, her biggest supporter, stood by her side, nurturing her dreams and providing unwavering encouragement.

The year 2023 marked a significant turning point in Setara’s life when she moved to Australia. This new chapter opened up incredible opportunities for her artistic career. With the support of SSI, Setara’s first exhibition in Australia was at Police HQ, Parramatta. She is confident of one day becoming one of the most renowned artists in the world.

Setara completed her Higher School Certificate in Australia in 2025, majoring in Art. Her graduation project was selected for Art Express and exhibited at both Hazelhurst Arts Centre and Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. She continues to paint beyond school, nurturing a passion that shapes her creative journey, and she is now preparing to pursue Art at university to further develop her practice.

I am inspired by the future and how human actions affect our environment. Echoes of Tomorrow shows a futuristic view of Sydney, Australia, and covers several important things. I imagine a future where famous landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge remain strong despite big changes in the environment.

The desert-like scene suggests a world after a major disaster, making people think about the results of our actions today. This piece highlights the serious issue of climate change and how it can change our cities and nature.

I use realistic techniques, oil painting, and muted colors to create lifelike and detailed artworks. These methods help me capture the essence of my subjects, adding depth and emotion to each piece. By combining these techniques, I aim to create powerful and expressive art that connects deeply with the viewer.

Symbol of Strength explores the strength and majesty of the bald eagle. By focusing on the eagle’s intense gaze and detailed feathers, I aim to highlight its power and beauty. The close-up view helps you appreciate the eagle’s impressive presence and the intricate details of its appearance. Through this artwork, I hope to convey the eagle as a symbol of freedom, authority, and natural wonder.

I used fine brushwork for detailed feathers, layering to create depth and color gradients, careful attention to light and shadow, detailed work on the eye for a lifelike look, and a muted background to keep the focus on the eagle, resulting in a realistic and striking artwork.

Rodaba Qureshi was born in 1996 in Kabul, Afghanistan. She completed her high school education in 2015 at Kabul, Abul Qasim Ferdawsi High School. In the same year, she was admitted to the Institute of Fine Arts and Industry, from which she graduated with honors in 2016. In 2018, she was accepted into the Department of Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University. After completing one year of Turkish language preparation, she continued her education and successfully graduated with honors in 2023.

Currently, she is living in Australia and continuing her artistic journe.

I paint in order to better express and understand myself, aiming to develop my own artistic language in this direction. Since my homeland, Afghanistan, has a rich cultural heritage, I strive to reflect these cultural elements in my work. For this reason, I often include Afghan traditional clothing in my paintings and use vibrant colors that interact with figures. My goal is to break the stereotype of Afghanistan as merely a war-torn country and instead highlight its true beauty, awakening the audience’s subconscious to these hidden aspects. Guided by this purpose, I continue to conduct research and produce artworks that connect the past with the present.

Wai Yan Minn, born in 1996, is a self-taught photographer from Burma (Myanmar). He captured striking images on his mobile phone that bridge his Burmese heritage with his life abroad. Originally from a small town of Pyay (also called Prome), Wai’s work explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural memory. His photography captures the landscapes and faces of Burma with a deep sense of nostalgia, while his newer work reflects his experience as part of the Burmese diaspora in Australia.

Wai’s first show was the inaugural SSI-1 Elizabeth Beyond Borders exhibition 2024

Wai currently works as a professional photographer in Sydney.

I capture these moments to explore and amplify the stories of resilience, dignity, and humanity that often hide at the back of injustice. As a photographer, my goal is not only to document moments but also to create a space where the audience can connect with these stories according to their own perspectives. Each photograph serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to uphold justice, equality, and compassion for all. By focusing on moments that capture both vulnerability and resilience, I hope to inspire reflection on what it means to be human—and what we must do to protect that humanity.