A walk down one of Kabul’s devastated streets reinforces the image of Afghanistan as a country shattered by decades of war and conflict, but thanks to Shamsia Hassani, the first female Afghan street artist, brightly coloured murals of women now pop up here and there, transforming the streets, painting over bad memories of war.
Hassani, who also teaches at Kabul University, boldly takes to the streets with her spray cans (where it’s dangerous just to walk alone outdoors), to portray a joyful image of Afghanistan whilst simultaneously challenging preconceptions about the role of women in Afghani society.
Her murals often depict women, sometimes dressed traditionally in a burqa, holding musical instruments. But in subtle ways, they challenge stereotypical gender roles, playing their instruments as a form of self-expression and ownership of their own voice. And by portraying women breaking pervading social norms, Hassani’s artwork becomes more powerful than guns or bombs.
By showcasing her fellow Afghani women as strong and independent figures and giving them a voice, it is clear that despite political and social turmoil, Hassani envisions a brighter and happier future for them, one that she hopes to generate through art, stating “Art cannot change anything directly,” she said in an interview. “Art can only change people’s minds, and then people’s minds can change the society. That is what I hope for.”
You can follow Hassani’s work on Facebook or check out her feed on Instagram.
Featured image source: Huck Magazine
Words by Pavi Sagar
