About
Rada Akbar is an Afghan-born conceptual artist and photographer. Her work focuses on denouncing the oppression of women in Afghanistan and highlighting the strength of Afghan women through her photographic portraits.
Akbar organized the "Superwomen" exhibition from 2018 to 2021, which featured exquisitely crafted gowns representing prominent Afghan women who rose to fame in a patriarchal culture.
Her work was also part of the 2022 group exhibition, "Before Silence: Afghan Artists in Exile," by PEN America's Artists at Risk Connection and Art at a Time Like.
Awards
Prince Claus Award 2021
Rada Akbar is an artist from Afghanistan, focusing on re-examining history and gender equality in her country through her work in fashion, design and visual art. Akbar became a member of the Centre for Contemporary Art Afghanistan in 2007 and in 2008 took part in organizing the First Female Painting and Modern Painting Exhibition in Kabul.
2021 Mujerhoy Award
Threatened by the Taliban, Rada Akbar has applied for asylum in France, where her career as a visual artist generates as much applause as her fight for the Afghans. It is our 2021 Mujerhoy Award.
UNICEF Photo of the Year Award, Honourable Mention
The Afghan photographer Rada Akbar portrayed hard working children in their home country.
BBC 100 Women 2021: Who is on the list this year?
Misogyny and the oppression of women are at the heart of this Afghan visual artist’s work. Rada Akbar has always used art as a medium to enable her to speak up and give women greater visibility in society.