The faces of young, poverty-stricken children are often used as subjects in photography. Kabul Kids, opening next Friday 18th November at China Heights Gallery, shows the images that emerge when these children take hold of the camera.
This collection of photographs were taken by six young Afghani orphans who show the Kabul through their eyes; an alternate perspective to the war-torn images shown on the news.

It’s the result of the hard work of ShutterSeed, an project initiated by Palwesha Yusaf who travelled to Afghanistan in 2009 to teach these six children the art of photography through a series of workshops covering all the basics. The kids were then handed a camera to go out and express their own experiences creatively both within the orphanage and out on the streets of Kabul.
The aim of ShutterSeed is to show the ‘positive effects of “photographed” communities representing themselves through their own photography.’
The collection ranges from intimate scenes of friendship to raw photos of the street outside, all are from an innocent and honest perspective.

On the 25th November the exhibition will move to Parramatta for a week-long installment at the Information Cultural Exchange. The opening night will play host to a panel discussion with Palwesha Yusef on topics ranging from the universal experience of the child to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which the event falls upon.

Throughout the entire exhibition artworks may be purchased, with all proceeds going towards the Hope House Orphanage in Kabul.

Be sure not to miss this incredible chance to see Afghanistan through the eyes of the children that live there, sure to be an insightful and eye-opening experience.

Opening Night – Kabul Kids
When: 6-9pm, Friday 18th November
Where: China Heights Gallery, 3/16-28 Foster Street, Surry Hills
www.chinaheights.com

Panel Discussion @ International Cultural Exchange
When: 6:30pm, Friday 25th November (Exhibition runs here until 1st December)
Where: 8 Victoria Road (Switch Digital Arts Centre), Parramatta

Liz de Fegely: