Zulfirman Syah

This work is a tribute to the 51 martyrs who were killed in the Christchurch mosque attacks on 15 March 2019—a terrorist act driven by white supremacy. Each of the 51 circular objects in this painting represents one of the lives lost, with distinct characteristics that honour their individuality. Their colours symbolise the rich diversity of their cultural backgrounds. Yet, they all share a hole in the centre—a solemn reminder that their lives were taken in the same tragic event. As a survivor, this is my way of honouring them through art, keeping their memory alive. They remain in our hearts and will forever be part of the history of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Zulfirman Syah is a fine artist from Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. He is now based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand. A graduate of Indonesia Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta and long-time member of the Sakato Art Community, he has over two decades of experience producing fine art. After surviving the 2019 Christchurch Mosque Attacks, he resumed his practice and continues to produce contemporary abstract works, primarily in acrylic on canvas.