Afghan Modern Art

Those doctrinaire Muslim vandals the Taliban did enormous cultural damage in Afghanistan, because they regarded virtually anything but mosques and the Koran as unislamic. However, art is tentatively re-emerging. Turquoise Mountain - a foundation dedicated to supporting local Afghan arts and crafts - has with the support of a local businessman put up a $2,000 prize for contemporary art. Abdul Wasi Hamdard (untitled painting above) is one of the 10 shortlisted artists. Another is a 14-year-old Afghan feminist who thinks marriage is death to women: Sara Nabil. (Only if you marry a religious nutter, Sara. If you marry an affectionate atheist who knows how to make love, marriage could be a lot of fun!) Click the title link to view Sara's entry, among others.