— have erected these barriers to keep the ever-present danger of bombs and armed-attacks at bay .
But not everyone can live tucked safely behind these barriers .
“[ The blast walls are ] really making a distance between the 2 percent rich and the 98 percent poor people in the country ,” said Omaid . “ So we wanted to bring down these walls and the only way we thought would be effective is by putting up murals , putting up messages — messages focused on a cause . For example , fighting corruption .”
Talking to people outside of Afghanistan , Omaid said he felt embarrassed discussing corruption with them . So he set out to tackle the issue . The result was a mural called “ I See You ,” a haunting pair of eyes painted on a wall . ( See image on page 8 )
In Big Brother fashion , the eyes follow pedestrians as they go about their business . The image is meant to convey the idea that corruption is not hidden from God or people ’ s gaze .
It is hugely popular , both with Afghans and the international community . This doesn ’ t surprise its creator .
“ Those kinds of visuals really help in countries like Afghanistan where illiteracy is so high … So using that only visual , now that ’ s the main brand against fighting corruption in the whole country .”
As far as results go , it ’ s a relatively inexpensive way to get things done . Omaid compared his work to other approaches .
“ In the last 14 years , Americans and the Afghan government spent like 800 million dollars on fighting corruption . No one ever remembers one billboard or one message from those billboards or radio programs or TV programs . But every single person remembers ‘ I See You .’”
While it might be a bit of an exaggeration to say everyone can point to this particular piece , “ I See You ” certainly has had an impact on some very well-placed individuals .
“[ W ] e are all like these small islands doing our bit of work here or there . We have to connect , like somehow find ways to collaborate .”
At the Supreme Court of Afghanistan , judges have talked to Omaid about the probing eyes and their significance . Senior ministers have told him that every time they walk by the mural it plays on their consciences , and they make a mental note of every corrupt government official they know . Even the main government agency responsible for fighting corruption in Afghanistan has taken note and started doing murals of their own . But Omaid ’ s art is not just for the elite . “ Whenever we paint on the street over a hundred citizens join me painting . What happened in Afghanistan is that art , painting , was for the elite , the cream of society , for that 10 percent . My work is art for the public .”
He ’ s trying to spread his message as widely as possible , especially among young people .
“ We go there in the schools , we talk to them , we share our story , we show them powerful images , a lot of beautiful paintings , and then we encourage them to paint for a cause … So that is a very effective way of both inspiring these kids , encouraging them to think critically , encouraging them to ask questions , and also help them to find the problems and also find the solutions within those problems . And also a sense of ownership , a sense of involvement in the issues .”
Omaid says that skills like critical thinking are not typically taught in Afghanistan ’ s schools or universities , but art allows people to explore , question , and challenge ideas .
“ Artlords has been a trigger for a lot of young groups , a lot of young organizations , to come up and start using creative ways to do something for making a difference .”
These are the stories that he wants to tell the outside world .
“ There are thousands of other groups and young people who are doing great work , very committed work . And they have a hope for their country , they are staying here … [ People outside of Afghanistan ] should know that we are here , that we are living , and that we are standing up for ourselves . And it will continue like this .”
His ultimate aim is to bring these different groups together , to unite them behind a cause .
“[ W ] e are all like these small islands doing our bit of work here or there . We have to connect , like somehow find ways to collaborate . … That is the only way that we can become this big wave that can really change a lot of minds , attitudes , and behaviors .”
However , even a few short years ago none of this would have been possible . Omaid can testify to just how far things have come in the past decade .
“ I was born in Kabul when there was war . I was raised in Kabul ; there was war . I was educated and I lived all my life in Kabul . And I have never ever left this country . So I have seen the Soviet-backed government . I have seen mujahideen ( guerilla fighters ). I ’ ve seen the Taliban , and I ’ ve seen when the Americans came in .”
All his life there has been war . Yet , Omaid refuses to run . He is fighting to change his country ’ s story . “ I am the change ,” he says . Growing up Omaid was too poor to buy a book , so he rented one whenever he could .
“ But today I have access to information . I can reach 3-4 million people in Afghanistan on Facebook right now . I can do advocacy . I can reach out to the government . I can vote . There are so many things that have changed . Like for me , now I can dream . I can have a vision . Things doesn ’ t look like impossible . During the Taliban I wouldn ’ t have even dared to dream . But now , for me , it ’ s like I can do anything that I want .”
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