A young Afghan woman discovered her natural artistic gift while hiding in Afghanistan. Shabnam lived with her parents and siblings while living in captivity in Afghanistan for two years after they were forced to flee her home following the Taliban takeover of their country. As a female in Taliban-run Afghanistan, she and millions of other young girls were banned from attending school, and often unable to leave their homes.
While stuck at home, Shabnam taught herself how to draw and paint, and created protest art depicting the oppression girls and women experience under the Taliban regime.
I believe my pictures can say something, through my art, I can be a voice for the girls of my country,” said Shabnam.
Shabnam and her family were resettled to St. Cloud this January with the support of Arrive Ministries staff and volunteers. It was an honor to display six of her powerful framed paintings at a public event in St. Cloud hosted by Arrive Ministries. Each piece sold for a donated amount and went directly to the artist herself.
Shabnam wants to show the world what the Taliban is doing, and depict the struggles of women and girls in Afghanistan through her art,” said Hamayoun, Shabnam’s proud father.
Shabnam wants to be a graphic designer or an artist in her future career. She plans to create more protest art this summer once school lets out and is also interested in painting and drawing scenes unrelated to Afghanistan.
If you’d like to commission a piece of art or purchase one of Shabnam’s original pieces, email her father, Hamayoun.
