Photographs are images of hope

The pair’s photographs were among works created by Aranmore Catholic College students selected for the Restoring Hope Art Exhibition.

Artwork created by students from North Lake Senior Campus, Australian Islamic College and Edmund Rice Leadership Group were also selected for the exhibition at an art space on William Street.

It aims to highlight the achievements of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds living in Perth.

Fourteen-year-old Morvarid’s family fled Iran and, after spending time at a detention centre in Darwin, moved to Perth in 2011. She said Australia had offered her freedom, which was not possible in Iran.

Thirteen-year-old Samson also came to Perth in 2011 after leaving his home country of Eritrea.

They are two of the many students from a refugee background enrolled at the college’s English Language Centre.

Morvarid said their photographs showed the environment, school and friends that they had become familiar with since moving to Perth.

Propel Youth Arts WA executive director Monique Douglas said the photographer helped provide an insight into the stories of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

‘Many of these young people have been through incredibly distressing and desperate situations. Their artwork is capable of capturing their ideas in a way that sometimes words cannot,’ she said.