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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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'New home new life' Arwin, 2017

by Zia Atahi

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018 Finalist

As a 17 year-old, Arwin left his homeland and a life of persecution to seek safety, freedom and a new life in Australia. At the age of 10 in Afghanistan, he would beg his mother for money to buy pictures of sandy beaches and green trees filled with colourful birds. For Arwin, these images were the essence of his dream of a new and different life. Arwin has finally achieved his dream. Now aged 23, he lives and studies in Brisbane; he is doing an arts degree and wants to become a filmmaker to help change this world for the better.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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