Skate Girls of Kabul: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

Date: Tue, Sep 05, 2017 07:00PM
Price: Free

“It’s hard not to think of Afghan girls skateboarding as an unlikely clash of cultures. But when you see these children tearing around the skate park, shrieking with laughter, your preconceptions drop away... I hope that this collection captures something of their spirit: their joy in life, their individuality, and their community.” — Jessica Fulford-Dobson

During this artist’s talk and panel discussion, photographer Jessica Fulford-Dobson is joined by Beth Malcolm (Canadian Women’s Foundation) and Shabana Saidali (former Skateistan participant) to reveal key insights into the series of portraits that have taken the art world by storm. This event takes place at the Ismaili Centre, Toronto.

Following the talk, enjoy an exclusive book signing opportunity with Jessica Fulford-Dobson, as well as a special skateboarding performance in the Aga Khan Park!

Participants
Marianne Fenton — Moderator
Jessica Fulford-Dobson — Artist/Photographer
Beth Malcolm — Director of the Girls’ Fund at Canadian Women’s Foundation
Shabana Saidali — Former Skateistan participant, volunteer teacher and translator, and Sport Coordinator

Jessica Fulford-Dobson is a freelance, London-based portrait photographer who began her career in the year 2000. Her photographs have since been published in newspapers and magazines worldwide, including the Telegraph Magazine and British Vogue, as well as being exhibited in New York, London, and Prague. In November 2014, out of over 4,000 submissions, Jessica’s portrait of “Skate Girl” won second prize at The National Portrait Gallery’s Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize Award, where it was exhibited for the first time. In April 2015, Jessica had her first solo exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, London.

Skateistan is an award-winning international non-profit organization empowering youth and children through skateboarding and education in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa. Through their innovative programs, Outreach, Skate and Create, Back-to-School, and Youth Leadership, Skateistan aims to give youth the opportunity to become leaders for a better world.

Photo(s) by Copyright © 2015 Skate Girls of Kabul by Jessica Fulford-Dobson. All rights reserved.