Artist
Rada Akbar
Photographer and conceptual artist
Rada Akbar (b. 1988, Afghanistan) is an Afghan photographer and conceptual artist whose work denounces the oppression of women in Afghanistan and reclaims their role in society and history. Through media such as painting, photography, textiles, performance, and installation, she combines elements of traditional crafts and materials to represent these realities.
One of her most iconic projects is Abarzanan (Superwomen, 2018), a series of elaborate dresses that pays tribute to prominent women in Afghan history. Another of her most representative series is Invisible Captivity (2013), which explores the religious and cultural forces that shape female identities and roles in her country. In the field of performance art, Akbar created A Speech for the Deceased (2021) in memory of artists and human rights activists who were murdered as a result of their work.
Her work has been exhibited internationally and she has received numerous accolades, including the Prince Claus Award in 2021. That same year, she was named one of the BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women.
Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Akbar was forced into exile in Paris, where she currently resides and continues her artistic work. Since then, she has continued to gain recognition for her powerful work, which highlights the strength and resilience of Afghan women.
