The exhibit, created by British artist Jessica Fulford-Dobson and curated by Marianne Fenton, opened in the Ismaili Centre’s Social Hall on September 5.

 

Dobson recounted her month-long experience in Kabul photographing the girls of Skateistan, a non-profit international development organization founded in 2007 by Australian skateboarder Oliver Percovich.  

 

Skateistan uses skateboarding to promote education to girls in Afghanistan, Cambodia and South Africa. Dobson explained that she wanted to share a happy story from a part of the world that is often associated with despair.

 

“You don’t have to be a skateboarder to appreciate what this story is about,” Dobson reflected. She described the exhibit as “art with impact.”

 

“The skate girls represent girls everywhere.”

 

As Dobson reviewed the full-colour photographs, she explained that black-and-white photography - her preferred method - would not have done the portraits justice. 

 

The bright colours and styles chosen by each girl were a significant part of their stories. Dobson aimed to portray the confidence and self-assurance instilled by skateboarding.

 

One of Dobson’s portraits, “Skate Girl,” recently placed second for the National Portrait Gallery’s Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize.

 

“The combination of photography and social justice is so powerful,” said Soraya Fahra, an audience member who brought her daughter to see the presentation.

 

The evening ended with a skateboarding performance in the Aga Khan Park. Dobson’s outdoor photography installation will be displayed in the Aga Khan Park until October 8, 2017.