Maryam is an Afghan architect who became a refugee in the UK in 2023. Uprooted from her home and lost in the dark image of an uncertain future, she found herself through art. In her darkest moments, art became Maryam’s refuge, a place to take a break from reality. What began as an escape soon became a way to tell stories that words could not tell.

Alongside her professional work, Maryam now uses art to tell her story, the struggles of her people, the resilience of Afghan women, and the beauty of her home country. She explores different techniques and mediums but works primarily with acrylics and watercolour. Maryam loves abstract art and finds it fascinating to watch colours blend and transform into something new.