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But Fasad is one of the founders of the Afghan art group ArtLords, which used to have hundreds of murals promoting peace and women’s rights on the walls of Kabul, and he still has hope.
He said that unlike the previous rule of the Taliban, people can now access art, music and movies via the Internet.
“The world is all around them,” he said. “So it is difficult for the Taliban to impose or sanction art.”
Many of ArtLords’ murals have been replaced by monotonous propaganda slogans because the Taliban have reimplemented their grim vision.
Farshad is now in Paris, but asked to speak under an alias because he wanted to return to Kabul to help other artists escape.
He took out one of ArtLords’ most famous works-Taliban fighter jets, the rocket launcher was filled with pencils instead of ammunition.
“I don’t think art will die out in Afghanistan,” he said. “I believe that one day the Taliban Games will die, but art will be there.”
