Artist Statement

My art is the voice of an Afghan woman. I have been through many difficulties in my life, including immigration, war during the Taliban regime, and cultural oppression. I have witnessed many happy and sad moments that I wish I could record and present to the world. Moments that people should see and understand, moments that evoke thoughts and emotions. Those moments carry valuable lessons. I wish to make movies, take pictures, and write about the lives of the unknown heroes around me. The world could learn from people's lives and courage.

My art is a way to capture terrible odds and discrimination. My art is a way to protest against social and cultural injustice. I have seen girls who were condemned to harsh judgments of the Afghan community and even death because they dared to fall in love. When my cousin was beaten by her husband, my aunts said, "That is okay, beating in the first year of marriage is normal and expected." My art will be a way to go against these kinds of cruelties. I can use art to undermine cultural injustice. Art can be a way to break the taboos, to educate people. I wish my art, however small, can be a step to social change.