Daniel Malikyar: Afghanistan presents more than 150 photographs made during extensive travel across Afghanistan. Malikyar, the son of Afghan refugees, grew up in the United States and returned to the country as an adult. He worked independently in remote regions, documenting families, children, horsemen, nomadic communities, and everyday scenes that received little attention in Western media. The book focuses on contemporary life rather than on conflict, aiming to show Afghans as active participants in their own stories rather than only as victims of war.
The photographs cover a wide range of social groups and regions. While the book does not concentrate exclusively on women, it includes images that show their daily activities, work, and presence in public and private spaces. Malikyar’s approach relies on extended time in the field and on relationships built with the people he photographs. This method allows him to record routines, ceremonies, and environments that are often overlooked in shorter assignments or in coverage dominated by security concerns.
Texts and background stories accompany the images, providing context for the places and communities shown. The project challenges simplified representations of Afghanistan that focus mainly on violence or political instability. Instead, it emphasises traditions, landscapes, and forms of dignity that persist despite decades of unrest. The book is published by teNeues and forms part of a larger multimedia project that includes a documentary series, exhibitions, and educational initiatives.
Malikyar works across photography and film, with a focus on identity, culture, and representation. A portion of the proceeds from Afghanistan supports his nonprofit foundation, which provides mentorship, equipment, funding, and training for emerging Afghan visual storytellers. The project aims to expand the range of images and narratives associated with the country and to create opportunities for local photographers to document their own communities over the long term.
Daniel Malikyar: Afghanistan
Category: Photographer Monographs & Art Books
Author: Daniel Malikyar
Publisher: teNeues
Publication Date:
September 2026
Print Length: 240 pages
Language: English
Price: paid
paid
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