Mosaic Tribute to Afghan Women

The "Hanging by a Thread" Mosaic Project

• 💡 The project, "Hanging by a Thread," is an international mosaic initiative aimed at raising awareness about the plight of Afghan women.
• 🎯 It was conceived by Bady Essid Jaballah from Tunisia, with artistic guidance from Madeleine Turgeon (Canada) and coordination by Tamara Froud (BAMM).
• 📌 The project uses mosaic art to celebrate Afghan culture's resilience and preserve artistic traditions.

Plight of Afghan Women

• ⚠️ Since August 2021, Afghan women and girls have faced severe restrictions under Taliban rule, including violence and bans on education and employment.
• 🚫 Traditional Afghan art, poetry, music, and colorful clothing have been banned, leading to profound cultural regression.
• 🗣️ The project seeks to amplify the voices of Afghan women and girls who are silenced in public life.

Artistic Creation and Representation

• 🎨 Artists drew inspiration from traditional Afghan motifs and garments, which are known for intricate patterns and vibrant colors.
• 🖼️ Over 1,300 mosaic artists from 40 countries contributed 10 x 25 cm glass mosaic segments, creating unique scarves.
• ✨ The mosaics use various materials like Italian smalti tiles, stained glass, and beads to represent the rich fabrics of Afghan women's clothing.

Global Reach and Exhibitions

• 🌍 The project has seen participation from 40-45 countries, with scarves exhibited in 25 different nations worldwide.
• 🇺🇸 In the United States, nine mosaic scarves were created by over 80 artists, led by Kim Wozniak.
• 🏛️ The US exhibition launched at the World Bank in Washington D.C. and is now part of the South Asia Art Collection.

Project Goals and Impact

• ✅ The initiative aims to highlight the resilience of Afghan culture and demonstrate its survival and reinvention.
• 🕊️ By reimagining forbidden traditional Afghan dresses, the project symbolizes that freedom is fragile and must be protected.
• 🤝 This collective effort seeks to make a meaningful difference and ensure the preservation of Afghan artistic traditions.