Jackie’s friend and the headscarf

About the artwork:
This piece is just one of many black and white sketches and was created after having a conversation with a friend in Kabul who was talking of being tired of wearing her head scarf, tired of having to cover up as is ruled under the Taliban regime. He drew this for her. Before the Taliban took over Afghanistan and rules with fear, Kabul was known for its fashion with western clothing styles popular, mini skirts, jeans, it was all the rage. Now women are oppressed and forced to cover head to toe and only be able to travel with a male relative. This picture is about the freedom Jackie’s friend wanted, that she had read about in the history of Kabul but due to her young age had never known.

The artist:
“Jackie” is a teenage unaccompanied minor from the Hazara culture, who until this month was stuck in limbo on Christmas Island waiting for processing, hoping to be reunited with his father and brother on the mainland, or waiting to be woken in the morning and sent to Nauru. Nearly two years of waiting for safety and freedom.

Jackie has an amazing talent for art and it was his true passion. When first in detention he kept this up, but as time passed, it began to become like ground hog day, morning soccer on the oval, school, evening activities, sleep, three meals in between. He eventually lost the mind space to draw, no motivation and waiting and waiting.

Jackie will continue to share his artwork with us and the stories behind each piece and dreams of becoming a famous artist in Australia.