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 which allowed mostly preliterate, Afghan women to be in charge of creating their own narratives.
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
2024 Exhibits
New Haven Free Public Library, Wilson Branch October - December 2024
Kehler Liddell Gallery, New Haven June - July 2024
International Festival of Arts and Ideas June 21, 2024
Public Art Exhibits:
“Afghan Women Explore Themes of Identity & 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”. Exhibits are made by possible through the generous support of the International Association of New Haven, Penny & Rod Cook and Hangama Amiri.
More exhibits TBA in 2025
