Authorities at an art Institute said that efforts are being made to establish campuses of the Ghulam Mohammad Maimanagi Art Institute in four zones of the country.
Some teachers of this institute asked the Ministry of Information and Culture to provide opportunities for the holding of art exhibitions in the country.
“We have plans in the future for the development of art and for the establishment of more campuses of the institute in the capital and also provinces,” said Mohammad Hashim Shariq, the head of the art institute.
“In Afghanistan, there is a lot of talent in every sector, especially in art, arts should be developed as it has no border, exhibitions should be held outside Afghanistan,” said Ghulam Mustafa Nowabi, an art teacher.
Ghulam Mohammad Maimanagi Art Institute was founded in 1352, and trains students in fields of calligraphy, painting, miniatures and other arts.
“Calligraphy is a beautiful art, it’s alway a need, those who seek knowledge should learn writing, so we had students in the past as well, it has been 45 or 50 years that the directorate of Ghulam Mohammad Maimanagi has been active,” said Ghulam Haidar, calligraphy teacher.
“Art is beneficial for our country, we can continue any art work by the Afghanistan historical monuments, we can paint any minaret to give the message to the other countries that Afghanistan has artists,” said Aminullah, an art student.
“We should be supported as the situation of Afghanistan is not good,” said Door Mohammad Shafiq, another student of art.
According to the director of the Institute, over 500 girls also study in Ghulam Mohammad Maimanagi art institute.
A group of artists in Paktia province in the east of the country said they are faced with a lack of market for their artworks while it was better in the past.
They said that the market for the sale of their artworks has declined lately. The artists called on the Islamic Emirate to help them in this regard.
“Previously, the market for our artworks was very good, but it has been a year since there hasn’t been a decent market and I haven’t sold a single piece,” said Bahaee Jan Naib Khail, an artist in Paktia.
“The market for calligraphy and painting pieces is poor now. We ask all institutions to pay attention to artists,” said Mashal, an artist.
Paktia’s Information and Culture Directorate said that they are working to find solutions for the issue.
“We have assured them that you can serve the country with painting, drawing, and calligraphy, and this is an essential part of our culture,” said Sawab Jan Islamyar, director of the information and culture of Paktia.
Artists said that their community can play a vital role in enriching the culture of Afghanistan through their art.
“Arts keep people happy. If we look at history, especially in our society, our entire life has been spent in misery,” said a cultural activist, Khozhman Zazai.—Tolonews
