Artist Sanaz Hakimi opens first solo exhibition in Sweden
Less than a year after arriving in Sweden and taking up the ICORN residency in Örebro, painter and illustrator Sanaz Hakimi from Afghanistan has launched her first solo exhibition. Centred on the theme of freedom, symbolised by the colour green, Hakimi's exhibition will be on display from 28th September to 22nd November 2024 at The Contemporary Garage in Örebro.
‘Freedom and courage exist within all of us but are most visible and daring in artists around the world. Artists who have fought—and are still fighting—for freedom against oppression, and for the right to create beautiful, meaningful work. This exhibition represents me as someone fighting for the freedom of women and people in my country’
'In my country, Afghanistan, the greatest oppression is against the women of my land. With this collection, I wanted to be their voice. As the title of the exhibition suggests, it is about freedom, and in every painting, this theme is expressed in some way.'
- Sanaz Hakimi
Hakimi, originally from Bamiyan, Afghanistan, has been an active artist since 2005. Her diverse body of work spans painting, pottery, ceramics, and murals, and she has also worked as a costume and set designer, art teacher, and tattoo artist. Much Hakimi’s art focuses on the culture and traditions of the Hazara people, as well as the broader challenges faced by women in Afghanistan. Of her work and first solo exhibition, Hakimi says:
'The art of a girl is freedom, and history will become what we want it to be. This idea might seem a bit idealistic, but it is the truth. Change might not happen instantly, but over time, by creating works that show a refusal to be silenced, a refusal to give in, these changes can be made. Artists and writers can play an important role in this transformation. We must not stay silent.'
Arriving in Örebro in November 2023 for a two-year ICORN residency, Hakimi is the city’s third ICORN resident. Since then, she has been involved in several projects, including live painting at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern in Stockholm and participating in a group exhibition at Kumla Exhibition Hall.
Hakimi’s debut solo exhibition is organised by Örebro’s OpenArt platform, which aims to make art accessible and engaging for the city’s inhabitants. The venue, The Contemporary Garage, is a local venue dedicated to exhibiting contemporary art.
