
by Zia Forogh
This work, titled “Mud Houses in the Mountains,” reflects the life of the Hazara people in the remote mountains — simple homes built from earth, which for centuries have sheltered love, suffering, and resistance. The dark shadows across the canvas recall the bitter history of genocide and erasure imposed upon this people. Yet the radiant sun on the horizon symbolizes a hope that never fades. The small illuminated windows within the darkness stand as signs of life, endurance, and the will to begin again. “Mud Houses in the Mountains” is not merely a depiction of traditional architecture, but the story of a people’s resilience — a people who, despite all darkness, push back against sorrow and offer life a new sunrise.