Despite the hardship of living in detention on Manus Island, Farhad Bandesh says that he has kept himself busy by creating art and music. He has written songs and made music videos with the help of friends in Australia.
'The Big Exhale' is a new song written by Bandesh which was launched along with a painting titled 'This is me' at the Melbourne exhibition in Blak Dot Gallery in April.
This is me' by Farhad Bandesh
'The Big Exhale', co-written by Farhad and Jenell Quinsee, is about the need for freedom from the fences, Bandesh tells SBS Kurdish. The newly released video clip is preformed by Melbourne City Ballet.
“This song is for all those who are stuck in this place for no valid reason, like myself," he says. "For me there is my physical self. But there is also an inner self, an inner journey of creativity with fragments of beauty. The inner journey means I can survive the outer journey. Without it, I would not be here.
"Maybe survival is in the genes of being a Kurd. For generations my people have overcome severe hardships that few could endure. I am Kurdish, from Ilam. Kurdish people have suffered greatly through genocide, displacement and persecution. They still struggle today for independence, for country and freedom. They are not permitted to speak their own language, are stateless and cannot practice culture, music, art or dance"
Originally from the Kurdish city of Ilam in Iran, the 38 year-old Bandesh also once made musical instruments, such as guitars and other traditional Kurdish string instruments. This seemingly innocuous profession was one of the reasons Bandesh fled his home.
“I fled my land for many reasons… the one that was really important, that I was a musician and I worked underground on Kurdish music, and I wasn’t safe there," he says.
Stringed instruments made by Farhad Bandesh
Through his artwork, poetry and music, Bandesh expressed desire for religious freedom in Iran, which had put him under pressure from the Islamic Republic.
“Life is tough for a Kurdish artist there, the secret services always hassle you if you try to create a band and work on traditional Kurdish music,” says Bandesh.
Before reaching Christmas Island by boat on July 24 2013, Bandesh spent three harsh months in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Now, he is one of the 600 men that are still left on Manus Island despite the closure of the detention facilities last year. Bandesh has not been granted refugee status, however he has passed an assessment that prevents his deportation to Iran.
Another painting by Farhad Bandesh
Bandesh tells SBS Kurdish that he hopes whoever wins the next federal election will help the refugees who remain in detention centres.
Farhad Bandesh painting at the Manus Island Detnetion Centre
In April, Badesh's was displayed along with the launch of his new music video at the Blak Dot Gallery, in Brunswick, Melbourne.
a not-for-profit Music Label that records, releases and promotes music from Indigenous Australia, Melanesia and Oceania, has been working with Bandesh, and helping him feature in a number of exhibitions.
Some of Farhad Bandesh's artwork on display at an exhibition.
You can listen to Farhad Bandesh's interview in Kurdish below:
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Kurdish artist, Manus detainee to exhibit his art work in Melbourne
SBS Kurdish
07/04/201906:06
