Shamsia Hassani is a 28-year-old painter and graffiti artist who ventures into the streets of Afghanistan to create murals. Armed with cans of spray paint, Shamsia uses the walls of abandoned buildings damaged from bombs as her canvases. Shamsia creates vibrant murals and paintings portraying women as strong. Her murals and graffiti often depict women in traditional clothing joyfully posing with musical instruments. Coming from a background where women are usually overlooked, Hassani believes painting women in public can encourage other people to look at women differently.
In an interview with Creators Project, the Mural Artist described her journey, the power of graffiti art and portrays why women are strong!
Currently teaching Fine Arts at Kabul University, Shamsia Hassani received her bachelor’s degree in Arts in 2010 and a master’s degree in Visual Arts in 2014 from Kabul University. She co-founded Berang Art Organization with the aim of promoting contemporary art and culture in Afghanistan through workshops, seminars, programs and exhibitions.
Follow Shamsia Hassani’s brave work on her Website and on Instagram.
Image and Content credit: LA Times, Thaxton and Creators Project.