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.
