Saif SHAMKHI – Australian Capital Territory

Royal Australian Navy (2008-2017)

Music & Rhythm ~ Program 16.1

Saif SHAMKHI, 2017
‘Pusser Post Resolute’
Acrylic on Canvas
50 x 40 cm

Artist’s Context – Painting: Pusser Post Resolute
Painted while on a military course, I created this artwork to tell the story of the drowning feeling
that some pussers (sailors) come back with after a rotation on Operation Resolute (Australia’s border
protection operation 2006-2013). I wanted ‘Pusser Post Resolute’ to highlight the injured veteran
community’s experience of feeling both lost and spiralling down when rehabilitation and other support
is not provided in a timely manner. ‘Pusser Post Resolute’ has been donated to the Australian
National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) and has been on display at an ANVAM gallery in Melbourne
and at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra.

Saif SHAMKHI, 2012
‘Spearfishing’
Chinese Ink on Paper
25 x 25 cm

Artist’s Context – Painting: Spearfishing
Painted while on deployment at sea, I created this silhouette to show my love for spearfishing,
scuba diving and freediving. When you’re underwater, you’re left with serenity in a meditative
but completely focused state. Focusing on your breath you submerge into the abyss
with your eye on the prize.

Saif SHAMKHI, 2013
‘Michelangelo – The Creation of Adam’
Pencil on Paper
25 x 25 cm

Artist’s Context – Sketch: Michelangelo – The Creation of Adam
Sketched while on deployment at sea, I created this artwork because I have always been
inspired by Michelangelo’s work on the Sistine Chapel. While working on Adam’s face, I stopped
sketching in order to rush and attend a ship-wide damage control exercise while at sea.
I decided to leave the sketch as it is, because I fell in love with its incompleteness
as a statement of “going with the flow and the balance between life and perfection”.

Saif SHAMKHI, 2013
‘The Simple Life’
Pencil on Paper
25 x 25 cm

Artist’s Context – Sketch: The Simple Life
Sketched while on deployment at sea, I created this artwork to highlight my yearning
for a simpler and more relaxed life. It depicts an older me relaxing in a village setting
watching the world go by. The inscription above is Arabic for “The Simple Life”.

Saif SHAMKHI, 2014
‘SIEV-4: Children Overboard’
Acrylic on Paper
30 x 40 cm

Artist’s Context – Painting: SIEV-4: Children Overboard
Painted while on night shift at a 24 hour manned shore site, I created this painting in honour
of all those escaping persecution and risking their lives for the smallest chance of a better life.
It was also painted in honour of Navy personnel partaking in border protection operations
who risk their own wellbeing saving those in need at sea.

As someone who has been both of those people, this painting was extremely special to me.

It depicts the boarding of SIEV-4 in 2001 by HMAS Adelaide’s boarding party. SIEV-4 was involved
in the infamous Children Overboard saga in the Indian Ocean. The uniforms worn by the
boarding party are modern era uniforms as worn by myself during boarding party operations.
‘SIEV-4: Children Overboard’ has been donated to Museums Victoria
to add to the collection at the Immigration Museum in Melbourne.

Saif SHAMKHI, 2014
‘Cuttlefish’
Acrylic on Paper
30 x 40 cm

Artist’s Context – Painting: Cuttlefish
Painted while on an Army attachment duty, I created this painting to show my love and
obsession with the sea and all that’s in it. The cuttlefish is a remarkable creature with blue blood,
three hearts and the ability to change skin colour and texture blending perfectly into its surroundings.