Meet Shamsia Hassani: Afghanistan’s First Woman Graffiti Artist On The Power Of Art & The Creatives Who Move Her

Shamsia Hassani, Afghanistan’s first woman graffiti artist, transformed the streets of Kabul into vivid, thought-provoking canvases. A former professor at Kabul University, she began her journey with traditional painting before turning to graffiti as a dynamic and accessible form of expression – bringing art into public spaces where all can engage with it.

This May, Hassani brings her politically charged and deeply personal work to London for the first time, with a solo exhibition titled The Dreamer at the Dorothy Circus Gallery on Connaught Street. Her bold murals, celebrated for their vibrant colour and emotional depth, offer a powerful narrative of Afghan women’s resilience, challenging cultural stereotypes and illuminating the human cost of war.

With previous exhibitions in global cities like Los Angeles and New York, Hassani’s art has resonated far beyond Afghanistan. Her work doesn’t just decorate urban walls – it sparks conversation, offering a lens into the complexities of Afghan identity, struggle and hope.

In this exhibition, she invites London audiences to step into her world. Through her words and works, Hassani shares her inspirations, her process, and her vision for a future shaped by empathy, awareness, and the transformative power of art. Below, we ask the artist to share how she works, the processes that help her tap into her inner inspiration, and the five artists and activists who move her most...

Each Day, I’m In A Different Mood... so I usually schedule my daily tasks in the morning. I always have a few artworks in progress, and I decide which one I want to continue working on. My tasks include sketching new ideas for projects, checking my social media accounts, recording my work process and editing videos of my work to share online. Sometimes, if I am not in the mood to work, I visit art galleries, do a little shopping or go for a walk. When I am feeling depressed, I spend the whole day changing my studio’s décor.

My Studio Is Also My Home... It’s one of the two apartment rooms where I live. There is a sun-facing balcony where I keep five different plants that enjoy the sun. On one of my studio walls, I have my rough sketches, incomplete canvas works and prints by my favourite artists. My work desk is loaded with pencils, pastels, and sketch paper, where I make my very first sketches for each piece. There is a closet with many shelves where I keep my art prints and postcard collection. I have an easel, small carts and a big-wheeled island table where I store my paints and other art supplies. In a corner of my studio, I have my bookshelf, small toy cars, and cartoon characters collection.

My Most Recent Work Is... a big canvas about women and girls in Afghanistan. It shows how their dreams are dying with each passing day. 

I Paint My Feelings And My Soul Into My Art... My current life, memories and everything happening around the world inspire me to create.

Recently, I’ve Barely Listened To Music... It used to be something I couldn’t live without; maybe I am not strong enough to listen to music anymore. Music doesn’t give me the power and energy like it did before; it drains my energy and good vibes. Instead of listening to music, I watch a lot of movies and TV series while working on my artworks. I don’t concentrate much on the movie or TV show playing in the background; I mostly concentrate on my work. Sometimes, I follow the story to keep myself engaged. Movies and TV series distract me and help me avoid my current life problems and past memories. It helps my brain take a break and stop overthinking.

I Was First Inspired To Create Art...to introduce art to people who never had the chance to visit a gallery or get invited to exhibitions. To make art for everyone, not for a specific group of people. To cover the bad memories of war from walls by painting over them, to give temporary hope to people, inspire other women to show their abilities, and to create large-scale art pieces (murals) that would become a part of a city and people’s daily lives.

I Look To Myself for Inspiration... I close my eyes for a few seconds to see what is new inside me. Then, I start putting rough lines and shapes on paper until I bring out what I saw when I looked inside. During this process, I should be alone; otherwise, the results don’t come out as pure as I want.

The Artworks I Am Most Proud Of... are those that I painted before the fall of Kabul. While creating it, I was full of fear, stress, anxiety and a lot of hope at the same time. The artwork changed its message and meaning when the Taliban took over the country, so it became a dream forever.

The Power Of Art... lies in its indirect influence on society. Art changes people’s minds gradually, and then people bring positive change to society. Art pieces need to be viewed and felt by those who have the power to understand them. Art is not felt by every mind; not everyone has the ability to transfer their feelings to their souls. Unfortunately, there is a small number of people who look at art and believe that it can bring positive change to society. Art needs a society that understands it, feels the need for it and accepts its importance. Once art is felt, understood and its importance is accepted, then positive change will follow.

5 Activists & Artists Who Inspire Shamsia Hassani...

1. Angelina Jolie – The Hollywood star and former UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy uses her platform to champion refugees, women’s rights and global diplomacy.

2. Zolaykha Sherzad – Afghan designer and founder of Zarif Design Zolaykha Sherzad empowers Afghan women through economic opportunities and the promotion of traditional craftsmanship.

3. Narges Noori – Noori is a freelance illustrator currently serving a fellowship at the University of Alberta under the Artist Protection Fund. She is also an instructor at the University of Kabul.

4. Tracy Lee Stum – Renowned American street painter Tracy Lee Stum is a pioneer in 3D street art, transforming urban spaces globally with her innovative and immersive public art installations.

5. Arezo Hassani – Contemporary Afghan illustrator and animator Arezo Hassani explores identity through their childlike fictional figures.