The Unseen Afghanistan
This artwork, “The Unseen Afghanistan”, shows the rich cultural heritage and the promising future of Afghanistan. Many art forms are displayed in calligraphy, poetry, and literature. The famous poet Rumi poem reads, ""Let's not sow anything but love and friendship in this pure land.”
The background has a mountain range which displays a landscape emblematic of the people’s fortitude and includes a 6th century Bamiyan Buddha now lost to war. In the foreground, is a troupe of schoolchildren wearing blue UNICEF backpacks and following a leader holding a blackboard above his head. Additionally, the foreground depicts a girl eagerly reading an important Islamic poem. Highlighted at the centre is a boy who lost his leg, expresses joy at the moment he receives his prothesis and runs with outstretched arms. At the left is a couple performing “Attan”, a traditional dance practised by ethnic groups of this region.
At the unveiling, the founder of ArtLords, Mr. Omaid Sharifi, said “To make the painting, our team started by traveling all over Afghanistan to gain inspiration from across our diverse regions and to collect soil from all 34 provinces. That soil from all over the country makes up the background of this canvas.” Reflecting on the imagery of the artwork, he said both history and loss is shown.
This gift was presented by the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations, Adela Raz, to the United Nations and Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, accepted it.
Ambassador Adela Raz said “the painting we have decided to gift to the United Nations is a celebration of the resilience and beauty of Afghanistan. It shows our country and its people in all their glory and aspirations – a side of Afghanistan often forgotten or unseen.”