A striking new mural by Feminista Melbourne, an Iranian activist collective in Melbourne鈥檚 Inner North, pays tribute to J卯na Amini and stands in solidarity with the Women, Life, Freedom movement.
Feminista Melbourne, a group of artists and activists fighting for the freedom of Iran, created the mural in Brunswick with the support of Merri-bek Council.
J卯na Amini was killed by Iran鈥檚 morality police last year, sparking ongoing protests against the regime. 鈥淎 Graffiti for J卯na鈥 can be viewed at the Brunswick Baths Gym Entry on Phoenix Street, Brunswick.
Nazanin from Feminista Melbourne told 91自拍论坛 Radio how the collective designed the mural to help passersby remember what happened to J卯na Amini and to feel empowered by the mural鈥檚 鈥渕essage of hope, power and resistance鈥.
The mural reads: 鈥淛卯na dear, you did not die, your name will be our rallying cry鈥, which are the words J卯na聬鈥檚聽family wrote on her tombstone. Poppy flowers are also included in the design, as Nazanin explains they 鈥渟ymbolise the blood of people who have lost their lives in this revolution鈥.
The mural also depicts the actions of two Iranian female athletes, footballer Fatemah Adeli and rock climber Elnaz Rekabi.
Feminista Melbourne wants to highlight how both women 鈥渦sed the opportunity they had during their competitions to show their resistance in their own way鈥.
After kicking the winning goal in a local competition, Adeli covered up her face so she did not show any happiness. Rekabi鈥檚 protest went viral when she climbed the wall at the Asian Championship climbing competition without wearing her hijab. Nazanin said this was a 鈥渕oment of hope and [showed] that women are moving away from mandatory hijab鈥.
The mural also reflects its Brunswick location. Feminista Melbourne added vibrant colours to its original design to fit with the feeling of Brunswick as a 鈥渉appy place鈥.
Thirty-four people joined Feminista Melbourne to design and paint the mural. They included professional painters and graffiti artists as well as those who picked up a paintbrush for the first time since kindergarten.
Nazanin explained the mural was not intended to be completed in the 鈥渕ost efficient manner鈥; they instead wanted to create a safe space for people impacted by the revolution to grieve and share their pain.
鈥淎 Graffiti for J卯na鈥 is the 10th public art installation Feminista Melbourne has completed. It was commissioned by Merri-bek Council for聽Refugee Week 2023.
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