Moshtari Hilal is an Afghan-German illustrator, whose striking, semi-autobiographical work reflects on the multiplicity of cultures and collective identity. Her art challenges ideas of mainstream beauty and middle eastern stereotyping. 

Moshtari Hilal grew up in Hamburg, and with her deep understanding/ study of politics and Islamic studies, she questions stereotypes, cultural prejudices, and beauty ideals like the idealized female virginity and sexual modesty  through her art. Depicting women with facial hair and men wearing veils, she exhibits her works on Instagram, and opens up our pathways of reasoning and examining cultural norms. 

#moshtarihilal

A post shared by Moshtari (@monmoshtari) on Oct 21, 2017 at 4:38am PDT

#embracetheface #decolonizeyourbeautystandards #moshtarihilal

A post shared by Moshtari (@monmoshtari) on Jul 11, 2017 at 1:59am PDT

Teenage Girl #embracetheface #portrait #moshtari #moshtarihilal #art #drawing #decolonizeyourbeautystandards #face

A post shared by Moshtari (@monmoshtari) on Jun 19, 2017 at 9:58am PDT

Drawing and resisting in black/white crossovers, Moshtari Hilal imprints her diversity of thoughts in her art!

Also Check Out – Samanta Tello’s ‘Silenced Voices of Everyday Sheroes’

A baby in its mothers arms #moshtarihilal

A post shared by Moshtari (@monmoshtari) on Dec 4, 2017 at 5:35am PST

This was my contribution to the exhibition last night @chinatownsoup in New York City curated by @southasia.art // its a portrait with the title “What if Self Optimization was not removal but growth?” // #moshtarihilal #portrait #decolonizeyourbeautystandards

A post shared by Moshtari (@monmoshtari) on Oct 28, 2017 at 8:39am PDT

Follow Moshtari on Instagram and email her for commission.