CRIW Initiative
Expressive Arts Initiatives
CRIW’s Expressive Arts Initiatives allowed women who are often unheard, to tell and share their own stories via photographs and hand-sewn textile pieces or “story cloths”. Using multiple artistic platforms that do not rely solely on verbal or written communication, we reduced barriers to self-expression and empowered mostly preliterate, Afghan women to be in charge of creating their own narratives.
Visual art with refugee women is a powerful means of expression and empowerment, and is a supportive transformative process for people experiencing trauma and loss who are often rendered silent due to barriers of language, culture, gender, poverty and education.
When coupled with public exhibits, empowering spaces are created to convey the strength, resiliency and creativity of the women and foster emotional resonance and promote cultural understanding in the community.
Overview
Photovoice
We used a participatory process in which women captured photo images and created accompanying narratives along a theme they collectively chose in order to express important aspects of their community’s lived experience to share with the larger community.
The process began with photographer Odette Chavez-Mayo providing the women participants with an introduction to photography. Then, as a group, the women voted on the theme that would guide their photo-taking: “Being an Afghan woman”. Faith, family, values, hospitality, homemaking and cuisine and are among the highlighted sub-themes. The women participants expressed relief and pride that they have been able to provide continuity for themselves and their families in these essential areas of their identity in their new homes, despite immeasurable loss due to displacement from their homeland of Afghanistan.
Fabric Arts Workshop
Hangama Amiri, an Afghan-Canadian artist (MFA, Yale School of Art ‘20) led the group through a process of developing ideas around the theme of “home” into a finished textile piece with an accompanying narrative - a “story cloth”.
This three-hour workshop was a powerful emotional experience for the women participants. The common threads woven throughout these “story cloths” represented memories of joy and loss associated with their homeland - Afghanistan.
“Art changes people’s minds and people change the world.”
– Shamsia Hassani, Afghan Artist
Upcoming Exhibit:
“Afghan Women’s Narratives Through Art:
Exploring Themes of Identity and Home”
A Public Exhibit of Photographs and “Story Cloths”
This unique exhibit showcases the artistic creations from two CRIW Expressive Arts Initiatives which allowed mostly preliterate women from rural Afghanistan who are often unheard due to barriers of language, gender, poverty, and education, to tell their own stories through their photographs and hand-sewn “story cloths”. This event was made by possible through the generous support of the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, the International Association of New Haven and partnerships with Penrhyn and Rod Cook and the Kehler Liddell Gallery.
May 23 - June 23, 2024
Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT
Upcoming Exhibit:
International Festival of Arts & Ideas - Guided Tour: “Afghan Women’s Narratives Through Art: Exploring Themes of Identity and Home”
During World Refugee Week, join Hossna Samadi, cofounder of CRIW and former Afghan refugee, as she guides you through this unique exhibit showcasing the artistic creations from two CRIW Expressive Arts Initiatives which allowed mostly preliterate women from rural Afghanistan who are often unheard due to barriers of language, gender, poverty, and education, to tell their own stories through their photographs and hand-sewn “story cloths”. The tour will provide a rare and powerful glimpse into the women’s rich and vibrant representations of strength, identity, love of homeland and memories of loss. Event will include refreshments prepared by refugee women.
This event was made by possible through the generous support of the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, the International Association of New Haven and partnerships with Penrhyn and Rod Cook and the Kehler Liddell Gallery. Special thanks to the International Festival of Arts and Ideas.
Friday, June 21, 2024, 3-4 pm
Kehler Liddell Gallery, 873 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT
