Opening March 5th at the Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler Galleries in Washington D.C. Come and visit this unique exhibition, which tells the story of Afghanistan’s contemporary artistic culture through the voices of Afghan artisans leading its revival. Beautiful site-specific objects are combined with architectural woodwork, immersive video, and large-scale photographs.
AFGHAN ARTISAN PRODUCTS CREATED BY THE CRAFTSMEN AND BUSINESSES WHICH TURQUOISE MOUNTAIN HAS TRAINED AND SUPPORTED. THESE ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE ONLINE THROUGH OUR RETAIL PARTNERS.
TURQUOISE MOUNTAIN IS REGENERATING HISTORIC AREAS, REVIVING AFGHAN TRADITIONAL ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE, CREATING JOBS, SKILLS AND A RENEWED SENSE OF NATIONAL PRIDE FOR AFGHAN MEN AND WOMEN.
AFGHANISTAN’S UNIQUE CRAFTS TRADITIONS ARE BEING REVITALIZED THROUGH A NEW GENERATION OF ENTERPRISING CRAFTSMEN AND WOMEN.
THE TURQUOISE MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE IS AFGHANISTAN’S PREMIER ARTS VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTION, GIVING STUDENTS A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION IN WOODWORK, CERAMICS, JEWELLERY & GEM-CUTTING, CALLIGRAPHY & MINIATURE PAINTING
Founded in March 2006 by HRH The Prince of Wales in partnership with former President of Afghanistan HE Hamid Karzai, Turquoise Mountain is a non-profit, non-governmental organization regenerating the old city of Kabul, and spurring the sustainable development of the Afghan crafts industry.
Since 2006 Turquoise Mountain has trained over 450 artisans in traditional arts, restored or rebuilt 112 historic or community buildings in the old city of Kabul, set up a local primary school and family health clinic, organized major international exhibitions from the Venice Bienalle to the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and worked with prestigious international retailers from Bloomingdales and Kate Spade in New York, to Pippa Small and Monsoon-Accessorize in London.
