Radiating Optimism and Spirituality by Salma Haider

This portrait is of my uncle, Ahmad, who came to Australia from Afghanistan as a refugee in 1985. I chose to work with watercolour pencil on a wooden surface for the first time, and I was drawn to the idea of allowing the grain of the wood to become part of the story.

Ahmad is someone who radiates warmth. His yellow shirt reflects the happiness he brings to those around him, and the exaggerated size of his eyes and glasses represent his wisdom, compassion, and the way he truly sees people.

He’s looking into the distance, not because he’s lost, but because he’s focused and aspiring. From growing up with very little to building a life filled with love and dignity, his journey reminds me that optimism is powerful, and that where you start doesn’t define where you can go.