New exhibit at Beanetics features Afghan miniatures

By James Albright

A new art exhibit opening this Friday at Beanetics Coffee Roasters in Annandale features stunning painted miniatures by local Afghan refugees and artists.

The exhibit is hosted by ArtLords, a nonprofit international art collective. Many of these works were brought from Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul. This is the first time the paintings will be displayed in the United States.

Miniature painting is a traditional art form from Afghanistan. The practice started with court painting hundreds of years ago and continues to the present day with these paintings.

The public is invited to the exhibit opening, 5-7 p.m. on Nov. 21 at 7028 Columbia Pike. The 21 artworks will be on display through the holiday season.

During the opening, members of ArtLords will discuss the paintings’ subjects, themes, and artists’ techniques. The exhibit is part of the ongoing Artopolis series at Beanetics.

The ArtLords story – and that of these artists – is a reflection of the necessity of providing a safe space for refugees. ArtLords was founded in Kabul in 2014, emerging from a grassroots effort of artists and volunteers. They started with painting murals throughout the city and, eventually, throughout the country.

By the time members were forced to flee Kabul, over 2,200 murals had been painted. In their words, ArtLords has a commitment to “empower voices through art and create dialogues that lead to societal transformation.”

Since the fall of Kabul, the current government run by the Taliban has removed most of the murals created by ArtLords members. The Afghan artists have moved overseas, where they’ve created murals in cities around the world, while providing support for Afghan refugees and continuing to emphasize their focus on peace.

ArtLords’ headquarters is in Fairfax County, which is appropriate, as there are tens of thousands of Afghan refugees here.