Deep in Melbourne's south-east, Dandenong is widely acknowledged as one of Australia's most diverse suburbs.
In Walker Street, there is an old home that has become a gallery that, from time to time, hosts exhibitions from the local community.
At the moment, some profound images adorn the walls -- tales of war, oppression and survival.
They are part of the 2017 Heartlands exhibition, arranged by the refugee agency AMES. (aims)
Iranian-born Sara Kangarloo says she represents her resettlement experience on canvass, inspired by Indigenous dot-paintings.
"I came to Australia as a refugee myself, so, to me, this is 'Heart-land.' This is the place I found peace and harmony. And as you will see in my paintings, all the dots represent each individual person comes to Australia from different backgrounds, colours, religion, nationality."
For her sister Ava, a victim of family violence in her homeland, her watercolour is a demonstration of pride.
"I feel that it's me -- it's me there walking through the life hardship and walking gracefully and 'proudly'. And if you look at this picture, she doesn't turn her face to the people that want to bring her down."
Aghiad Al Atassi escaped Homs, Syria, when the civil war there took hold of his city in 2012.
He says painting images of Syria is a form of therapy.
"Sometimes I feel relaxed but sometimes I feel angry, because I couldn't do anything to these people, just express about and show the people their story."
AMES's Laurie Nowell says the organisation has hosted the annual Heartlands exhibition for six years now and it remains vitally important.
"A lot of refugees can't vote -- they're not represented. So it really can give them a voice, in terms of telling their own stories, and sharing their dreams and passion and culture."
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