My name is Farhat Darwish. I was born in the Balkh province of Afghanistan. I am a painter who expresses hidden pain through beauty. Before the Taliban occupation, I was a student at the School of Diplomacy, and at the same time, I was devoted to painting. I felt hopeful about my future, but that hope quickly faded with the arrival of the Taliban and their new rules.

Even before their takeover, Afghan artists faced many restrictions. Still, I held on to a belief in a better future. But after the regime change, my hope slowly began to disappear, day by day.

Fortunately, two things helped me stay strong: art and books. Art taught me that even in the darkest moments, I can turn limitations into opportunities for growth. It became a kind hand, pulling me away from depression and feelings of worthlessness. Books reminded me that life isn’t always easy, bright, or happy, and that’s okay.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned during these challenging times is this:
“I will never place my future in the hands of my unstable government.”

That’s why I will keep painting, no matter what. My biggest dream is to establish a school of Arts in my province, Balkh, one where young girls and boys can express their emotions and stories freely through art. I will start with myself and my work, hoping that my viewers can discover the stories behind each piece, think deeply, and truly feel them.

My painting journey started when I was eleven years old, and I’ve always believed that I was born to be an artist. Unlike many Afghan women, I was lucky enough that my family supported and encouraged me every step of the way. But the community around me didn’t value artists. That was a painful truth to accept. Over time, though, I came to understand that the deep and ongoing challenges in my country left people with little room to appreciate the beauty of art. I stopped blaming them.

My only hope now is that one day, art will find its way into the hearts of the Afghan people and bring them a little more joy.

The paintings attached to my account reflect pieces of my journey. I hope you connect with them. Your interest and reflections not only remind me that I’m on the right path but also help me grow, by recognizing my strengths and weaknesses, and by allowing me to be seen and known as an artist from Afghanistan.