This week we are celebrating International Women’s Day. It’s with delight that we share these beautiful, empowering artworks from Navitas Skilled Futures SEE program student Fatima*.
Fatima* was born in Afghanistan and came to Australia as a child with her family. In her spare time, she loves arts, crafts and decorating her room at home. Fatima studies the Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program at one of NSF’s Sydney colleges. As part of the college’s celebrations, her posters are on display in the Student Lounge.
Her passion for drawing began in high school. A friend, who was a talented artist, taught her to draw. She has continued with this interest to the present day. Her teacher at Navitas Skilled Futures, recognised this interest and suggested she create some artworks for International Women’s Day. Fatima felt encouraged by her teacher’s confidence in her. She shared, “She was the first person to tell me to express myself through my art.”
Sharing her art with the community
Women from different cultures and countries inspire Fatima’s drawings. These women represent the many friends she has made at Navitas Skilled Futures. Two of the women depicted (red and green front-on artworks) are inspired by Turkish period dramas Fatima enjoys watching. There are also women from Pakistan (yellow artwork), Africa (green side profile artwork) and Fatima’s homeland of Afghanistan (silver, green and gold side profile artwork).
While she feels slightly nervous about people seeing her drawings for the first time, she is embracing being brave. Excitingly, she feels inspired to do more art. When asked why International Women’s Day is important to honour Fatima shared, “We are all different women from different cultures. We are important in this world, and we provide so much to be celebrated.”
Looking to the future
Fatima started the SEE program in 2022. She is currently learning digital skills, which she hopes will help with further education and employment opportunities.
“God gave me a path. I am still working out exactly what it is, but I trust he will help me find the right direction,” she said. “If I could have any job in the world, it would be as an interior designer. I love designing rooms, painting and decorating.”
One of Fatima’s artworks states, ‘The most beautiful thing a woman can wear is confidence’. When asked what confidence means to her, Fatima said, “Be brave, stand up for yourself, don’t let other people tell you what to do. You are the queen of yourself!”
We sincerely thank Fatima for sharing her art and look forward to seeing what she will create next.
Learn more about the SEE program
The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program is structured around your unique needs, with targeted training providing the right skills for your future. To learn more about the SEE program, including the new 5-step SEE pathway, visit https://navitas-skilled-futures.com.au/courses-and-programs/see/
*Fatima is not her real name.