RADA AKBAR
- Conceptual Artist -

Work in Progress

Persian Miniatures Reimagined: Tracing Afghan Women's History and Cultural Heritage

This art series aims to pay homage to the first Persian miniature paintings created in ancient time Afghanistan, while highlighting the strength and individuality of Afghan women. The series will depict female characters from these ancient paintings and utilize them as symbols of Afghan women throughout history. By reinterpreting traditional motifs with modern patterns and elements, the artworks will explore the current situation in Afghanistan, reflecting both the country's cultural and historical losses and the resilience of its women. The chosen medium for these artworks will be carpets, a significant cultural symbol in Afghanistan, representing the women who have preserved and passed down the skill of carpet weaving for generations. By tracing Afghan women's history through the lens of the first Persian miniature paintings, this art series aims to preserve cultural heritage, honor the strength of Afghan women, and shed light on the challenges faced by the country. Through the medium of carpets, the artworks will serve as a powerful reminder of the integral role women have played in shaping Afghanistan's cultural identity and the need to support and empower Afghan women in their pursuit of art, beauty, and individuality.

Image of some of Rada´s work in Progress that Rada Akbar has done inspired by old Persian miniature paintings and contemporary artistry
Inspired from ancient miniature paintings in Herat this piece focuses on the portrayal of female characters. The only aspect changed is their hair, symbolizing a sense of freedom and resistance. The women in the painting hold signs displaying two iconic slogans used by Afghan women protesters: "Bread, Work, Freedom" and "Education is our right." The choice of colors is influenced by military aesthetics, representing the enduring struggle that women in Afghanistan have faced for decades. In place of the original poetry, contemporary poems written by Nadia Anjoman who herself was a victim of domestic violence, are featured. This substitution aims to give voice to the experiences and challenges faced by Afghan women. Through this transformation, the piece highlights the need to address and confront the pressing issues affecting Afghan women today. Overall, this artwork combines historical inspiration with contemporary elements to shed light on the ongoing struggles, resilience, and aspirations of Afghan women amidst the challenging circumstances they face.

Keep green in the mind
the thought of that day
when I break this cage
leave my captivity, and sing
drunk with happiness

Though I have not spoken
songs do not desert me
and with every moment
I give flight to the words
on wings of whisper

Poem Transtaled by: Dr. Houman Harouni

Image of some of the latest work that Rada Akbar has done inspired by old Persian miniature paintings and contemporary artistry
This piece is a contemporary reflection of the realities faced by Afghan women, inspired by a 1590s miniature painting from Herat. Traditional motifs are transformed into contemporary symbols, representing the challenges and struggles that Afghan women confront today. The substitution of a garden of roses with thorns, and roses with blood drops and dried opium flowers, symbolizes a shift from beauty to pain and suffering. The inclusion of a hidden snake, represented in black, signifies the dark and regressive situation women face in Afghanistan. Replacing the original poetry with a contemporary poem written Mahtab Sahel amplifies the voice of Afghan women and showcases their resilience and desire for change. The image of a sculpted carpet being folded to hide the woman's face symbolizes the Taliban's efforts to erase women and their cultural heritage, representing the suppression of women's voices and restrictions on their freedom.

In this homeland that is no homeland,
where injustice sets fire to one's breath,
Hell is just a symbol—for the life of woman.

A night-worshipping tribe, all deniers of love,
have imprisoned moonlight in a shallow bog
of slime and mire and infested muck

Poem Transtaled by: Dr. Houman Harouni

Image of some of the latest work that Rada Akbar has done inspired by old Persian miniature paintings and contemporary artistry
This artwork reflects the realities of women's lives in Afghanistan. It draws inspiration from ancient Persian miniature paintings, showcasing the vibrant colors and style that represent Afghan culture. The use of military colors captures the essence of the battlefield. The character finds herself abandoned and encircled by layers of symbolism, including barbed wire and ants, vividly representing the plight of Afghan women left to confront extremists with empty hands. Departing from the original painting, the character's hair takes the form of a swirling tornado, signifying resilience, power, and vitality. The overall design of the piece resembles traditional carpets, highlighting the long history of Afghanistan's carpet industry and the important role of women in preserving Afghan culture.
© 2016