Hangama Amiri's Textile Art Explores Afghan Heritage and Identity

Hangama Amiri, an Afghan-Canadian textile artist born in Peshawar, Pakistan in 1989, draws on her nomadic upbringing and Afghan heritage to create fabric artworks that affirm her identity and challenge stereotypes. After fleeing civil war, her family moved between Kabul, Peshawar, and Tajikistan before settling in Halifax, Canada in 2005. Amiri's work, which uses appliqué techniques and materials from weaving centers like Afghanistan, India, and Turkey, depicts memories of Kabul's bazaars, beauty salons, and everyday objects. Her pieces have been exhibited at the Aga Khan Museum, Sharjah Biennial, and Hayy Jameel. Notable works include "Bazaar, A Recollection of Home" (2020), a year-long project commenting on globalization and Taliban restrictions. Amiri emphasizes cloth's political power, referencing protests in Gaza and women's dress codes under Taliban rule. She aims to present Afghan women beyond media stereotypes, showcasing their fashion and pop culture. Her practice, rooted in memory and tactile connection, serves as a means of constructing home as a diasporic artist.