An art exhibition in Herat has opened with strict gender segregation applying to the days that women are allowed to visit.
The exhibition “Sympathy” opened on Sunday February 12 for five days, but women were only permitted by the local de facto authorities to visit on the last two days of Wednesday and Thursday.
The artists whose works were on display at Allama Saljuqi hall in Herat city’s Cinema Chawk include professors and students of the Herat University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, including five female students.
At least 85 artworks, including painting and calligraphy, have been displayed in the exhibition, most of which have a religious theme.
Abdullah Osmani, Behzad Gallery’s chief, told Rukhshana Media that the exhibition purpose is to show as many works of art as possible and to appreciate the services and artistic and cultural activities of the professors of Herat University.
Some of the visitors expressed concern about the drop in art exhibitions and people’s attention to artists and works of art since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
The Taliban has imposed many restrictions across Afghanistan, including on artistic practice. The de facto authorities have banned portrayals of humans and living creatures in art taught in the country’s universities. It has also banned depictions of humans to be publicly displayed, including on book covers.
Before the Taliban, Herat Province was known for its rich cultural and artistic legacy and was a pioneer in Afghanistan in the field of painting and miniatures.
Since the Taliban took power, the sharing of and market for art has declined, with most artists either emigrating from Afghanistan or trying to leave.
