Bio

Jalal Mahamede is an Ahwazi Arab refugee poet and artist who until recently worked from his prison cell in Brisbane. He had been detained by the Australian government for 9 years after arriving by boat and seeking protection. He was never charged or tried. He draws from his personal experience to express his moods, feelings and visions through art and language, influenced by his late father Kazem Mahamede, a renowned travelling poet and photographer. The region of Ahwaz has significantly diminished in recent times due to land seizures by the Iranian government. Ahwaz people are a persecuted minority and continue to be subjected to many forms of discrimination.

His album "Set Me Free" can also be obtained from his website jalalmahamede.com.


Keyna Wilkins is a pioneering Australian/British composer-musician. She was one of three finalists for the Australian Art Music Awards for Individual Excellence in 2021 and 2018 (APRA/AMCOS).

Visit Keyna's website keynawilkins.com.