Refugee who paints with a toothbrush nominated for Australian art prize

Azimitabar was announced as a finalist for Australia's most esteemed art prize, just over a year after he was released from one of the country's notorious immigration hotels. Photo: AFP

A refugee held for eight years in Australia's hardline immigration system earned a finalist spot in the nation's top art prize recently - for a self-portrait he painted with a toothbrush.

For artist Mostafa Azimitabar, a Kurd who fled persecution in Iran, the honour came just over a year after he was released from one of Australia's notorious immigration hotels.