Omaid Sharifi Is Beautifying War-Torn Afghanistan And Inspiring Generations, One Mural At a Time

Stories of Transformation

Omaid Sharifi is no stranger to political oppression, nor the powerful imagery which often accompanies it. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan just before the end of Soviet occupation there, Omaid was raised amidst the rise of the Taliban, and then came of age during the American invasion and the war on terrorism. After his father was shot and killed in the line of duty as a police officer when he was barely a teenager, Omaid knew it was his responsibility to step up and help provide for his mother and five younger sisters. He worked out of a small stand in the streets of Kabul, selling cigarettes and cookies, fending for his life amidst the chaos around him, doing everything he could to help he and his family to survive.

Today, he remains in Afghanistan, and works as an artist and activist — or, an “artivist” as Omaid aptly describes himself. He is the leader of the prolific public mural project called Artlords. In their work — which includes over 2,000 murals spanning the entirety of Afghanistan — the Artlords have transmuted their collective traumas absorbed over the course of their lives into beautiful, meaningful works of art meant to inform, inspire, and enlighten. Omaid’s mission with Artlords is to provide a counterbalance to the immense negativity which cloud’s the city’s collective consciousness — the warlords, druglords, slumlords — by injecting art into the city streets.

In this episode of Stories of Transformation, we discuss what it’s like to grow up in a place where war, poverty, and deviance are everyday realities; the power of art in opening minds and promoting positive change; finding the courage, and the creativity, to stand up to those in power who refuse to listen; and how kindness as a catalyst is the best way to make a lasting impact.

For full show notes
https://www.baktashahadi.com/podcast

Connect with Omaid Sharifi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OmaidSharifi?s=20

Resources
To learn more about Artlords:
www.artlords.co

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Credits
Produced by: Joseph Gangemi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-gangemi-audio/

Digital Marketing & Media by: Katherine An https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-a-91081b56/

Theme music by: Qais Essar
www.therabab.com

Artwork by: Masheed Ahadi
https://www.LinkedIn.com/in/masheed

Episode Music Credits
"Innocence, Farewell" by Philip Daniel Zach
“Always” by Philip Daniel Zach
"It's Ok Mix 2" by Philip Daniel Zach