By: Sara
An art exhibition was held to fight against hopelessness on Monday in the western province of Herat. Three female artists, who are students at the fine arts school of Herat University, organized the exhibition, displaying 70 artworks.
It was the third art exhibition in Herat after the fall of the former government last August. Few people visited the first two. But the people welcomed the third one, and many including women visited the exhibition, which was held under the name of “new passion.”
The paintings mostly depicted animals, and few calligraphy and human images were also displayed.
Organizers say they had to censor themselves, avoiding to display paintings that could provoke the Taliban.
“We didn’t display the paintings that show human face or the artworks about love and affection due to the current sensitivities,” says Raufa Shams, an organizer. “Painting is like a river, and there should not be limitations on art, so we can freely create new works.”
Shams adds she and her team members worked hard for four months to organize the exhibition, and the visitors’ warm welcome eliminated her tiredness.
Officials of the Taliban’s information and culture department of Herat also visited the exhibition. “The painting art shouldn’t be directed in the wrong direction,” Naimullhaq Haqqani, the director of the department, said. “Paintings which show women face in full make or portray stranger’s culture shouldn’t be displayed.”
Taliban say painting is part of Islamic art. They say they will allow artistic activities as long as they are in line with Islamic values. Haqqani says the Taliban will pave the way for the growth of artists in the country.
Hundreds of artists left Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover. Taliban have also rubbed off women’s faces from Kabul city’s walls.
Mohammad Rafiq Shaheer, head of Herat Council of Experts, who was a participant in the exhibition, says by displaying their artworks, Herati girls have started a real fight for their rights.
Adila Khadimi, another visitor, says she had lost her hope due to the current situation of Afghanistan, but holding such an exhibition and the presence of many participants revived her hope for the future.
Mohammad Tawfiq Rahmani, head of art faculty of Herat University, says restrictions shouldn’t imposed on arts.
“Restrictions limit the scope of paintings,” he says, “if the artists continue their works without restrictions, they can create and display their thoughts and worldview through artworks.”
Three organizers of Monday’s exhibition are members of the “Black & White,” an art group founded two years ago.
