This May, at DCG Contemporary London, we are honoured to present a landmark solo exhibition by Shamsia Hassani, the pioneering first female graffiti artist of Afghan origin.
Born on April 9, 1988, in Tehran to Afghan refugee parents, Hassani spent her childhood in Iran, where restrictive policies denied her access to formal art education due to her immigrant status. In 2005, her family returned to Afghanistan, allowing her to finally pursue her passion for art. She later earned a degree in painting and a master’s in visual arts from Kabul University, where she now serves as an associate professor of Drawing and Anatomy of Drawing.
Recognised for her bold, emotive, and politically charged artworks, Hassani illuminates themes of resilience, transformation, and female emancipation. Her signature murals depict Afghan women in dynamic, defiant poses, often enveloped in stylised burqas—symbols of both oppression and strength. Through her distinctive use of vivid colours and geometric abstraction, she transforms the scars of war into messages of hope and renewal, advocating for a reimagined future for Afghan women.
This exhibition marks a historic moment, as Hassani unveils her poignant creations to a global audience, offering a rare and powerful insight into the lived experiences and struggles of Afghan women in a deeply patriarchal society. Her murals not only breathe life into the streets of Kabul but have also reached an international stage, with exhibitions in India, Iran, Germany, the United States, Switzerland, Vietnam, Norway, Denmark, Turkey, Italy, and Canada. Each of her works carries the unwavering voice of Afghan women, amplifying their presence and resilience in a world that often seeks to silence them.
Hassani’s art has become a revolutionary force—a visual manifesto for those who have been marginalised and unheard. Her iconic figures, depicted with closed eyes yet boundless determination, challenge societal constraints, portraying Afghan women not as victims, but as visionaries and agents of change. In a nation where women’s voices have long been suppressed, her murals bring forth a vibrant wave of color and defiance, reclaiming space, narrative, and identity in Afghanistan’s post-war landscape.
For over a decade, Hassani has spearheaded a cultural movement, inspiring women across Afghanistan and beyond to embrace self-expression through art. Her graffiti festivals, art workshops, and international exhibitions have served as catalysts for empowerment, motivating women to break free from restrictive conventions and redefine their role in society. Her mission is to transform Afghanistan’s global image, ensuring that it is recognized not for conflict, but for its thriving artistic and cultural resilience.
We are proud to welcome Shamsia Hassani to London for the opening event on May 1st at Dorothy Circus Gallery, located at 35 Connaught Street, W2 2AZ. The presale of her original artworks will be unveiled on Thursday, April 24th.
