About
Shamayel Shalizi is an Afghan multimedia artist. Her formative years were lived between Russia, the U.S. and Afghanistan, and she holds her Masters degree in Social Anthropology from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. As the sole-proprietor owner and designer behind jewellery and apparel line Blingistan, she celebrates its 7th collection. After six years, Blingistan expanded its horizons to cultivate an online platform and meeting place for community-building, education and revolutionary activities. Beyond Blingistan, Shamayel works in various grassroots community organising within Afghanistan. She co-hosts a weekly podcast, Diaspora Passing, that aims to strengthen ties within the global Afghan community. Single episodes have garnered over 15k+ viewership. She published a collection of poetry in November 2021 titled Shut Up/ چپ باش/ Заткнись. Besides designing, community building and writing, Shamayel uses painting, photography, videography and installations to explore themes of identity, the self, the Other, sexuality, womanhood, trauma, imperialism, war and displacement, and the homeland. Shamayel is an orator, who has participated in conferences and conversations across formats around the world, especially on subjects such as womanhood, art, healing, and decolonising. Shamayel has been featured in Dazed Magazine, Teen Vogue, Deutsche Welle, Revolutionary Left Radio, and many more.
