Art in Afghanistan depicts a country rich in culture, religion, ethnic diversity and conflict. The freedom of expressing one’s self through art here is something that has been hidden behind years of oppression by the Taliban, but there are some who paint a picture of hope and change for the future.
Art students from the Marefat School in Kabul visited Camp Phoenix on June 26 to showcase their talents and to display their art work for service members stationed there. Service members were also able to purchase the student’s art and support a worthy cause.
Sixty percent of the proceeds go directly to the student artists with the other 40 percent going to the school’s art gallery and charity box; which helps to fund uniforms, tuition fees and other special needs.
There were 14 students on hand to represent 41 artists' work. This is the second year the school has visited Camp Phoenix to help raise money for the students and the school.
The school’s art program was originally founded by Aziz Royesh in 1994, who started the art program at a refugee camp in Pakistan while the Soviet Union still occupied Afghanistan. After the Soviets left, Aziz moved the art program to Kabul.
“I started the school’s art program in order to help open the students to a friendly environment,” said Aziz. “The art can help the students, and even their families, become more delicate in their view and their judgments.”
Aziz went on to say the Marefat School is a relief from the war and violence Afghanistan has suffered for the past decades. It has been an uphill battle for Aziz and his students, as the school has been threatened and even attacked by the Taliban in recent years.
With the reduction of the Taliban influence in Kabul, due to increased security by the Afghan National Army and Police, these students are not only able to express themselves through art, but are also able to get a full academic education. Some students have excelled to the point of finishing 12 grades within five years.
“Fewer Taliban means the children are able to express themselves through their art, and the community is no longer afraid to support the cause,” Aziz said. “The support of the community is one of the foundations that have kept this school standing.”
Families of the students support the program because of the education their children are receiving; they also provide donations and strong moral support.
Service members support the program because of the sense of hope it provides to the students and the quality of art they are buying.
“What interested me in the art is the detail and how in-depth the students are with their art,” said 1st Sgt. Nelson Charron, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, Vermont Army National Guard. “This school shows that the fear is leaving the Afghan people – they are no longer afraid to express themselves.”
Charron expressed how he loves to see the youth of Afghanistan taking an interest in something that can better themselves and keep them away from the violence. Charron believes this is truly a step forward in helping the people of Afghanistan. He personally purchased more than 10 pieces of art work during the show.
“I want to improve, that’s why I go to the school,” said Fahima Fehmand, one of the students attending the Marefat School. “I practice a lot. I want to reach a higher level of art.”
The Marefat School now has more than 2,500 students and a faculty more than 100 strong. Aziz is one of 15 people chosen, out of more than 2,000 applicants, from across the world, to attend an education fellowship at Yale University. Aziz will be attending classes and seminars in order to better the school.
“I am worried the smiles that the school has provided will be lost if the Taliban rise to power again. There are few organizations that provide the same happiness,” said Aziz. “This school is a symbol of the change in Afghanistan. It is one of the few beacons in the darkness.”
| Date Taken: | 06.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2010 01:49 |
| Story ID: | 52324 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 479 |
| Downloads: | 398 |
This work, Kabul art students paint picture of hope, change in Afghanistan, by SGT Matthew Nedved, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
