The migrant artists who defied family expectations
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The arts sector is often seen as an unstable career path, especially among parents with high hopes of economic stability for their offspring.
Migrant parents can often feel even more pressure for their children to make safe career choices, having moved overseas in the hope of a better life.
But some say that attitude can drive young people to make a career in the arts a success, effectively proving mum and dad wrong.
Born ambition
Frida DeGuise and Moreblessing Maturure have taken on that challenge and, beginning in July, they are taking part in a series of Sydney forums with their mothers about their journey into a creative career.
As a high school student, DeGuise adored drama. But she could not pursue it until much later in life. Now 42 and a comedian, the Australian-born, Muslim daughter of Lebanese parents wears a hijab onstage and often gets laughs at her own expense.
She said growing up in a Lebanese family proved challenging when it came to proving she was worthy of a career in the arts.
“I think I turned around and said to my mum once I wanted to be an actress, and she slapped me across the face and said, ‘no, we don’t want that’. And then I never thought about it again,” she said.
[Mum] slapped me across the face and said, ‘no, we don’t want that’.
– Frida DeGuise
“So I became a chef. And now, coming into drama, becoming a comedian now at this age, it still pisses people off!”
DeGuise started performing stand-up comedy six years ago and never stopped. She said her father is supportive but her mother is still getting used to the concept.
The Sydney forum promises “intimate conversations between artists and their mothers on their pursuit of a creative career”.
“The only one that’s really angry about it is my mother. She secretly likes it and she hates it, because I think she’s more in fear of me getting all the backlash,” DeGuise said.
“It’s pretty upsetting because she doesn’t understand in what context it’s coming in.”
Great expectations
Moreblessing Maturure and her family moved to Australia from Zimbabwe more than a decade ago.
She dropped out of a psychology degree to pursue an acting career. The 22-year-old also writes and directs theatre productions. She too has felt certain pressures in pursuing a career in the arts.
“My parents wanted me to just focus on doing high school when I was younger, but me, 18, coming out of high school was when I was able to try my first couple of steps in the industry.”
But Maturure said she understands her parents wanting her to settle on a career with stability, considering their own experiences.
“I wasn’t necessarily the one working to make a new life here. I do sort of understand because that is the reason that people do move.”
“They want better lives for themselves and for their children and the next generation, so that need does make sense.”
Late Night Library – Artists and Their Mums, takes place at Customs House Library, Sydney, and features Moreblessing Maturure (19 July) and Frida Deguise (23 August).
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