May 2023
My husband and I have sponsored two large families of Afghan refugees since they arrived in October 2021. My time with them has been some of the most enlightening of my life. The contrast in our two cultures is so vast. They see the world in such a different way than my experience has taught me. I have a deep love for them and their pure love for family and taking care of their village. Dancing with them while Saleha kept the beat on a trash can in their living room when we had very little space for communication will always be such a dear memory. We regularly shared meals on the floor out of the same dishes, breaking bread to grab bites of delicious new flavors... women in one room and men in another with the abundance of children wandering freely entertaining us all.
This painting is about the contrast I see in the world of these women I have come to love deeply. Their roles in the family are clearly defined by their gender and they are trained up very young to know the differences.
The thick black lines feel like true separation of the walls of their homes. While inside they dress colorfully and are full of love and smiles. We cook, dance, and care for children together in beautiful ways despite the language barriers.
If there was a doctor's appointment or some reason that the women needed to leave the house it was a much different feeling. Beautifully colorful dresses were covered in black robes and bright, lovely headscarves were replaced with thick black ones and a black hospital style mask to cover their faces. They walked differently. They glided almost imperceptibly into the car, where immediately they were again comfortable and free.
The fear they feel outside their own spaces is heartbreaking.
As I worked on this painting I was moved to tears as it came together. The women faded into the wall beautifully and the story I wanted to tell is all there. The little girl in the corner is my little ray of hope for the future. She recently took me outside to see the “flowers" with so much excitement and joy. Those dandelions will never be the same for me again.
My dear ladies remain faceless out of respect for them and their wishes not to be depicted or captured on film.
Add comment
Comments