A number of familiar faces hang from the walls of Edwar Hydo's Sydney art studio, but his latest pieces have a more local flavour.
For the past 18 months, the Assyrian-Australian has worked tirelessly to paint the portraits of every Australian prime minister - all 30 of them from Federation in 1901.
He's undertaking the project as a way to say thank you to the country that welcomed him 28 years ago.
“Ever since I (stepped foot in) this country in 1993, I fell in love with it,” he tells SBS Assyrian.
“By making these portraits, I wanted to show that us, the Assyrians, who are known for great ancient history and civilisation, are grateful to be in this country and these artworks (should be viewed) as a gift and sign of appreciation.”
As a lifelong artist, Mr Hydo is known in his close-knit community for painting the portraits of various former heads of state, including former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, King Hussein of Jordan, and Turkish statesman Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
He explains that some of his most memorable moments as an artist were while perfecting his craft in Iraq, including five occasions when he was recognised for his portraits of Saddam, who he says he met in 1986 with a group of other artists.
File image of Saddam Hussein from 1991. Source: AAP
“As a military man, the feeling was very unique to attend the office of the commander-in-chief of the country especially (after) Iraq's victories during the war with Iran,” Mr Hydo says.
“The president spoke to us about our artwork and we exchanged a few opinions with him regarding the art institutions of Iraq at that time.”
Former PM Bob Hawke. Source: Edwar Hydo
The regime in Iraq then commissioned him to paint portraits of prominent individuals in government offices and public spaces, though this opportunity eventually led to his departure from the country.
By the early 1990s, Mr Hydo says political tensions between pro- and anti-regime factions had gotten so bad that his job with the government placed him in danger.
As a result, he fled Iraq by crossing into Turkiye in 1992.
Whilst in Turkiye and during his immigration interview at the Australian embassy, he was asked to paint a portrait depicting how Assyrians left Iraq as refugees, which he says showcased the suffering they endured at the time.
The staff at the embassy liked the artwork so much that they kept it, he says.
On reflection of the differences between Iraq and Australia, he says Australian prime ministers promote democracy, freedom of expression, and diversity.
“When I arrived in Australia, I researched the prime ministers of this country and I noticed that they all get elected for a specific time and this creates a democratic atmosphere within the society," he said.
Source: Edwar Hydo
As for his favourite prime minister, he says it’s hard to go past John Howard, who served in the top job from 1996 to 2007.
“During John Howard’s tenure as prime minister, I think the country was developed and improved on many levels," he said.
Former PM John Howard. Source: Edwar Hydo
“Wilson stood with me in many needed times that I will never forget,” Mr Hydo said.
A portrait of Wilson Younan by Edwar Hydo. Source: Edwar Hydo
“Due to COVID-19, we are being patient and will wait for the right time to make sure the event can welcome a good number of people,” he said.
Watch Mr Hydo's full, in-language interview with SBS Assyrian:
