Three years ago, a young woman in Kabul launched an art workshop with an initial investment of 10,000 Afghanis, producing a variety of products made from epoxy resin. Today, the workshop has provided training and income-generating opportunities for around 200 women.
Mehraban Abdullahi, a 27-year-old resident of Kabul, says her passion for epoxy resin art and the positive response to her first works encouraged her to establish a workshop for training and production.
“Since epoxy resin was a completely new art form at the time, I felt Afghanistan needed innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial ideas like this. The positive feedback and public response to my first works motivated me to turn my passion into a successful business,” she says.
The workshop, now known as Lian Art and managed by Mehraban Abdullahi, is active in three areas: production, sales, and training. It produces a wide range of products.
“We currently operate in several areas, including the production of dishes, jewelry, as well as the tables and clocks you see here. Some of our raw materials are imported, while the rest are sourced from Afghanistan,” she adds.
According to her, more than 200 women and men have received training in handicrafts at the workshop, and many have been able to establish their own businesses independently using this art.
“Over the past few years, more than 200 women and men have completed training at the Lian Art workshop. More than 50% of them now run active businesses,” she says.
To maintain the quality of instruction, she says that each course is conducted with a limited number of students. She explains,
“The number of students varies in each course, but we try to keep our classes small so we can pay proper attention to each participant. Typically, each course includes around ten women, allowing everyone to learn it well.”
Abdullahi says that this art is not limited to making decorative items and that other things can be designed as well.
“Epoxy resin is an art form with no limitations. It can be used for many items, home decor, construction, the beauty industry, jewelry making, and many other fields. This art allows us to create a wide variety of products and designs,” she says.
She says that although this art form is still new in Afghanistan, many women have welcomed it and are eager to learn it and work in this field.
“Because it is a relatively new art form, we have fortunately received a very warm response from women. Many are eager to learn this craft and earn an income through it,” she says.
She says she learned the basics of this art through self-study and, after gaining experience, traveled to Iran for professional training.
“I began by watching instructional videos and studying on my own. After extensive practice and gaining experience, I gradually began producing my first products. Later, during a trip to Iran between 2023 and 2024, I succeeded in receiving professional training in this field,” she adds.
Aminullah Qasemzai, an economic expert, says that using women’s artistic skills, particularly in entrepreneurship, can play an important role in reducing unemployment and growing local economies.
“Making use of women’s skills, especially in entrepreneurship, can help reduce unemployment and promote local economic growth. It not only helps meet local market demand but also creates opportunities for exports and increases national revenue. It also encourages skilled individuals,” he says.
Mehraban Abdullahi hopes this art and the production of its products will continue to expand across Afghanistan, so more women can achieve economic independence through their creativity and skills.
Reporter: Zarafshan Sharifi
