It all began with a war torn Afghanistan, and an ancient tradition…
The year is 2006, Afghanistan is currently feeling the effects of a lengthy conflict with the then Soviet Union, and now the United States during the War on Terror. The Northern Alliance, consisting mainly of the Western Bloc and NATO, garners the support of Afghani President, Hamid Karzai. Together with King Charles the III and Rory Stewart, a British politician, the 3 found a foundation called “ Turquoise Mountain”, inspired by Afghani artisanship. The charity readily sets it sights on the poverty and loss of cultural history due to conflict in the region, and by creates workspaces for millions of craftsman throughout Afghanistan.
What the future holds
As Turquoise Mountain continues to grow and evolve, it is certain that more and more countries will be brought under it’s umbrella. Some of the places they’ve already expanded include Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, even gaining the support and partisanship of the princess of Saudi herself.
While poverty is and has been a growing issue around the world, the everyday actions done by everyday people working in tandem to alleviate it has brought millions of women and craftsmen new opportunities for themselves and their offspring. One can only imagine where the Mountain will find itself in the future, and what magnificent art and artists will be brought into the spotlight.
The Accomplishments
Turquoise Mountain has done more than simply offer weaving facilities to those who practice the trade, they have also constructed an institute of their own, the Turquoise Mountain Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture. Here, many Afghani women have graduated with a higher understanding of their cultural heritage, and a much wider array of prospects than those of previous generations. As the charity has progressed, it has widen its perspective beyond just the arts, going as far to restore neighborhoods affected by turmoil. New buildings are erected from the historical materials used, and offered free of charge to Afghani residents.
And in 2022, as seen within our own showroom here at Black Sheep, Turquoise Mountain has underwent a lengthy process targeted towards the renewal of weaving knowledge and procuring of fine carpets in Afghanistan. The project was an astounding success, generating roughly half a million USD worth of orders for Afghani weavers, and creating income that was given immediately to the weavers themselves. As detailed by project lead Toby Ash, the project not only generated immediate income for weavers but created long term sustainable income for their future generations.
Weaving Poems. an immersive exhibition by Turquoise Mountain's lead designer Maryam Omar, April 2024