Shah's Art
Dignity | Freedom | Future
In Balikpapen Detention Centre Where Art Supplies Were Available.
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Shah Tawassuli and His Art. Shah is young man from Afghanistan not yet 21 years old. He is an Artist, Barber, Tailor, Football Player and Activist. Shah escaped from violence and persecution in his homeland. His entire family was lost in the violence and Shah was alone. Life was too dangerous for a youth of 16 so he took to the road. He journeyed as far as Indonesia seeking asylum and safety. He has been illegally imprisoned in Indonesia for 4 years in harsh and inhumane conditions. It is traumatic and stifling. He has committed no crimes. He seeks only peace and freedom. There are 14 000 struggling refugees in Indonesia awaiting safe resettlement in countries offering asylum. Shah is one of many. Read about Shah's imprisonment here He only had only one pencil with him for drawing. No colours. Shah would draw at night in his overcrowded room while his traumatised roommates tried to sleep. He would use any paper scraps he could scrounge, borrow or find. He had to be quiet. Shah wanted to reflect, plan, dream, focus, draw and create. Drawing was his only way to relax. To escape. To breathe. He would imagine and research birds as a symbol of freedom. |
One Pencil and Borrowed Scraps Of Paper Cleverly Photographed.
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Art Cards For Sharing. Shah knew his mind could be busy worrying OR it could be busy creating. He was aware of saving himself and keeping his mind from being anxious. Stopping the slow slide into confusion. Eventually an art form took shape, a bird, a flower, a symbol of freedom & hope. Shah would photograph the completed image using a borrowed phone. The photos were sharp and clear. No hint of the scraps of paper he used to draw on. He would then send the images to some good friends and helpers. It worked. Shah decide to use Greeting cards to celebrate and sell his art. Greeting cards. Unique Shah Art Cards. Cards used for sending messages of hope. Cards for sharing support and warm friendly thoughts. This is how Shah's beautiful greeting cards came to be created. Beauty created in the midst of inhumane conditions and brutal treatment. The perfect project for a man planning his freedom. Beauty created as a way to rise above all the pain he is living. |
Shah Tawassuli
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A Purpose and A Plan
Shah has a plan. To stay positive, creative, hopeful, alive and ready for freedom. Shah has since been able to get some colour pencils. His birds and flowers have much more colour now and he is hopeful and alive. He's making new and brighter cards.......and mugs and shirts. The bright colours just might match Shah's new found energy and hope. He would love to share his beautiful cards with as many people as he can. An artist loves to share his vision. Support Shah with the purchase of his cards and you will help him pay the hidden costs of surviving detention. and plan ahead and work towards his future life in freedom. This, of course, is Shah's first website. It's exciting and new. Here you'll find all of Shah's cards for sale, how to order them, what motivates him and some of his Refugee story. You will be able to order the cards from the website here |