“Between the devil and the deep blue sea!” is a special work to me for different reasons. It was my first experience ever working with textile, and it was my first major artwork that I made and exhibited in Australia. I moved to Australia in 2011 and lived in Perth for 5 years before I moved to Melbourne in 2016. I didn’t have a chance to make many artworks when I was living in Perth and it was mainly because I needed to work full time in order to afford the living costs. Melbourne was totally different though. I moved to Melbourne after I was awarded Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) to study my PhD at RMIT University. This was a fantastic opportunity for me, not only because it helped me financially, but also because it gave me the opportunity to develop my practice and research experience. Being new in Australia and Melbourne though, I needed to familiarise myself with the art community in Australia and find ways that I can introduce myself and present my art. I knew that exhibiting in Australia will be challenging and I thought I can start with looking for opportunities like group shows and awards. The Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award was the very first one that I applied for and it was definitely a great starting point for me. It gave me the confidence to look for other opportunities and that my decision for working with the material and methods that I had no previous working experience with, was a right one. Between the devil and the deep blue sea! is about a dilemma. A dilemma where on one side there is all the memories of the past, home, family, and friends. Everything that was once a life and now is only a memory. There is the threat of death, terrorism and violence and there is no hope for a better future. On the other side, there is a better chance for staying alive, but there is nothing clear about the future. Where you go and what you will be called; A terrorist? Or someone that is there to take the jobs and money!? We are watching the news and seeing tragic accidents happening all over the world every day, but what makes us indifferent to the suffering of others was something that I became interested to learn more about it. From the beginning of my project, I was interested in discovering more about the notion of indifference and that came from my own position as an observer. I am an Iranian living in Australia. On the one hand, I am observing wars and conflicts in the Middle-East from a distance and on the other hand, from not much a distance! I am living in Australia with a great distance from the Middle-East in terms of the geographical distance and the differences in socio-political situations. On the other hand, and despite Iran’s current safe situation, there is no guarantee for a stable peace in the future. Being not here nor there, I am an observer who won’t be in peace in peaceful Australia, and can’t feel the depth of the pain for people living in war-torn countries such as Syria and Iraq. The indifference phenomena can be studied from different disciplines, however, there can not be a simple and unique explanation for its cause. Regardless of different explanations for the causes of the indifference, what I am most interested in is to explore the ways I can show the “indifference” itself. For this, I seek to focus on my simple interpretation of the phenomena, which in my mind is “seeing tragedy, not tragic.” In other words, whether the indifference is caused by information overload, or distance from the sufferer for example, people don’t feel the pain and can’t understand the conditions others in pain are experiencing. Based on this explanation, the focus of my artworks is to depict and highlight the contradiction between the pain and the indifference. In my art practice, I often use colourful and attractive materials in combination with a visual language that reference to the aftermath of tragic events of wars, to provide a symbolic representation of indifference in the form of an artwork. This is my artistic approach in explaining the notion of “indifference”, that can illustrate my ideas around “seeing tragedy, not tragic”. to give voice to my own concerns and position as an Iranian artist, I am interested in utilising visual elements from traditional arts of Persia and the Middle-East. In selecting rugs and fabrics that I use in my artworks, the weaving quality is not my concern. Moving beyond this, I am looking for features which express and underpin concepts such as antiquity, resistance, simplicity, and peace which sit in stark contrast to the terrorising and militant image of Middle Eastern people portrayed by the mainstream media. Nowruz (Persian New Year) 21 March marks the Persian New Year and the first day of spring in Iranian calendar. It’s the time of the year when all Iranians and many other Farsi speaking nationalities (Afghans, Tajiks, etc.) celebrate together. My wife and I are planning a trip to Iran for the new year holidays and it would be our first time to celebrate the new year with family and friends in Iran since 2011. It is believed that Nowruz has a long history of around 3,000 years and is rooted in Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion that predates both Christianity and Islam. Every year Iranians celebrate this very special event at different times and it’s because the exact time of the new year depends on the exact calculation of when the length of the day and the night are equal. There are many things about the Persian new year to be excited about and sitting around the Haft-Seen table (7sin) with family is with no doubt the most exciting one. Haft-Seen is a set of seven symbolic elements beginning with ‘S’ in Farsi that Iranians arrange them together to decorate a table that family sit around and celebrate the beginning of the new year. The most common items found in Haft-seen decoration are: Sabzeh: Wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts growing in a dish, Samanu: Sweet pudding made from wheat germ, Senjed: Dried Persian olive. Seer: Garlic Seeb: Apple Somāq: Sumac Serkeh: Vinegar Sekkeh: Coin that symbolise health, wealth, abundance, etc.Wangaratta Art Gallery Collection, Acquired with the assistance of Robert Salzer Foundation.A used Persian Rug that has had a motif of two heads and an explosion hand-stitched onto it.mohsen meysami, textile, rug

In 2019 Peoples undertook a residency at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra. The original proposal was to explore the suburban gardens. However, it was the man-made lake with a different bloom, blue-green algae that held her attention. The still waters of the lake in the early mornings are tranquil. Becoming more familiar with the Lake, details caught Peoples’ eye. However, she realised the only interaction by humans with the Lake were two men who motored a small boat to the centre of the Lake, a hint as to the connection between tranquility and blue/green algae.Wangaratta Art Gallery Collection. Donated by June Brown.A small embroidery using a colour palette of green, orange, blue and brown depicting a scene of Lake Tuggeranong mounted into a purple spectacle case.sharon peoples, textile, embroidery, lake tuggeranong, landscape

In 2019 Peoples undertook a residency at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra. The original proposal was to explore the suburban gardens. However, it was the man-made lake with a different bloom, blue-green algae that held her attention. The still waters of the lake in the early mornings are tranquil. Becoming more familiar with the Lake, details caught Peoples’ eye. However, she realised the only interaction by humans with the Lake were two men who motored a small boat to the centre of the Lake, a hint as to the connection between tranquility and blue/green algae.Wangaratta Art Gallery Collection. Donated by June Brown.A small embroidery using a colour palette of green, red, blue and brown depicting a scene of Lake Tuggeranong mounted into a brown spectacle case.sharon peoples, embroidery, textile, lake tuggeranong

Middle Distance is part of an ongoing project that uses the visual language of architecture and tapestry processes to create jarring spatial experiences. Contrary to its dense materiality and clear-cut linear construction this work appears unstable and in flux. The focus of the viewers’ eye is bucked from point to point and forced to soften in much the same way that one stares into space, disengaged with one’s immediate surroundings. In the end, as Mark Wigley says, “What is experienced is the atmosphere, not the object as such.”1 1. Mark Wigley, The Atmosphere of ArchitectureWangaratta Art Gallery Collection. Donated by Isabel Dunstan.A small black and white cotton tapestry that depicts various styled lines to form a spatial design.britt salt, tapestry, textile

Postcards quick communication of the day for family & friends. C 1900s . Example of greetings, Christmas greeting etcExample of C 1900's postcards - printed in Britain,Collection of C 1900's postcards, written, sent, various production methods, some embossed.Various

Negative No. N343 and black and white print made by a laser printer (stored in folder ) of the front of MMTB bus No. 556, Registration AT 056 with run number N74. Last bus from Spencer St. to Northcote 25/6/1955. See Reg items 680 and 493 for more details. Negative scanned hi res and imaged updated 22/5/2020.trams, tramways, melbourne, bourke st, spencer st, last bus, tram mmtb bus 56

travel document of Stanislaw (Bill) Nowak, born in Poland 14/01/1927, he came to Australia in 1951 as a refugee after II World War, this document was used instead of national passportone of a few items of this kind which has survived to present daysgreen book, contains information about Stanislaw (Bill) Nowak, document served in lieu of a national passport, issued on 15th October 1946, the holder of this document was the concern of the International Refugee Organization, this document contains 32 pages, exclusive of covermany inscriptions in relation to Stanislaw (Bill) Nowak including visas and description of personimmigration, id, travel document, bill nowak

The card authorise Stanislaw Nowak to wear commemorative badge of 5 Kresowa Dywizja Piechoty. Issue date 14 August 1946one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present dayscover: green with yellow and blue lines, emblem of 5 Kresowa Dywizja Piechoty and map of Poland before II World War inside: cream with white marksstamp of 5 Kresowa Dywizja Piechoty; signature of Commander of 5 Kresowa Dywizji Piechoty, Brigadier General Sulik Nikodemcommemorative badge, nowak, kresowa dywizja piechoty

The pillow case was a part of the wedding dowry of Zofia Mioduszewska. She maid it herself. It was tradition that every young girl had to prepare her own items needed in her new household. Made in 40s. example of embroidery from Podlachiawhite, linen pillow case initials ZG (Zofia Godlewska)craft, podlachia, poland, embroidery, wedding dowry

The falg was displayed during the meeting of Pope John Paul II with Poles from Australia on MCG in 1986; the eagle on the flag (national Polish emblem) has a crown on its head, which was not allowed during a communist regime in Polandcommemorate the visit of Pope John Paul II in Australiared and white, cottonPolish emblempope, flag, pol

Apparel and fashion in Poland has been influenced by the resources available, climate, and also by the other cultures. There are German, Czech, Russian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Austrian and other influences in the traditional dress of each region. Because of these diverse influences, each region of Poland has its own local traditional dress. There are roughly 60 unique costumes attributed to the different areas in Poland.one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present dayswhite top, apron, colorful skirt, vest, garlandtraditional dress, outfit, poland

Apparel and fashion in Poland has been influenced by the resources available, climate, and also by the other cultures. There are German, Czech, Russian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Austrian and other influences in the traditional dress of each region. Because of these diverse influences, each region of Poland has its own local traditional dress. There are roughly 60 unique costumes attributed to the different areas in Poland.one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present dayswhite top, apron, colorful skirt, vest, garlandoutfit, poland

this document belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, migrant from Poland who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War; It was issued on 8 August 1946 in Bad Reichenhall (Germany)one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present daysgreen papercover - stamp of town hall, No: DPG 09703260 inside - photo of holder Marian Dabrowski and his signature; stamp of town hall and signature of authorised representativedriving licence, germany, migrant

this travel suitcase belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, migrant from Poland who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War and settled down in Melbourneone of a few items of this kind which has survived to present daysA portable rectangular container for carrying clothes, colour blue, brown insidetravel suitcase, migration

This coupon has been issued in Australia and was exchangeable in any country of the Universal Postal Union for a postage stamp, 50s, bought in Bathurst camp, NSW Australia by Polish migrant Marian Dabrowski who came to Australia after II World Warone of a few items of this kind which has survived to present dayscream paper, blue printstamp - Bathurst camp, NSW Australiacoupon, 50s, postage stamp

prescription was issued by Dr F.H. Hocking, The Paisley Street Medical Group, 20/06/1956 this item belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, Polish migrant who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War and settled down in Melbourne one of a few items of this kind which has survived to present dayscream paperstamp of Bannon's Pharmacy at 133a Hopkins St. Footscrayprescription, footscray, paisley street

it was given by Red Cross to the Polish family with one child in the displaced persons camp in Paderbonn, Germany, 1950 prior to migration to Australiaone of a few items of this kind which has survived to present daysglass"made in USA 3 A 45" mark on the bottom of the bottlebaby milk bottle, refugee, red cross

certificate of Polish Veterans Association - Ex-soldiers Mutual Aid was issued on 1/05/1948 by Branch 601 - Ingolstadt (American Zone of Germany); this document belonged to deceased Marian Dabrowski, ex-soldier, Polish migrant who came to Australia as a refugee after II World War and settled down in Melbourneone of a few items of this kind which has survived to present daysbrownish papercertificate number 545 cover: red stamp of Polish Veterans Association, Branch 601 inside: photo of holder and his signature, 2 green stamps of Polish Veterans Association, American Zone of Germany, signature of Chairman and signature of Branch Directorcertificate, migrant, polish veterans association, ex-soldiers mutual aid