SPECIAL EVENT | Afghanistan Symposium

Afghanistan – Andrew Quilty 

Andrew Quilty is an Award-winning photojournalist and author, and this exhibition presents a powerful display of photographs captured during Quilty’s years in the Afghan capital of Kabul from 2013 to 2022. Afghanistan explores the country’s rich culture set against the backdrop of war and conflict. Quilty describes his work from this period as an ‘imperfect portrait of time and place’. His photographs skilfully balance moments of beauty and brutality, humanising the effects of war while inviting reflection on resilience, hope, and the impact of conflict on everyday life. Afghanistan is a Museums and Galleries Queensland touring exhibition presented in partnership with photojournalist and author Andrew Quilty, and curator Ellie Waterhouse.

Join Andrew and Ellie and distinguished guests Daniela Gavshon, Australia Director, Human Rights Watch Australia for a series of in-depth panel discussions around the theme of Afghanistan.

Session 1: 10:30am – 11:00am

Focus: A short history and discussion of the life and work of Andrew Quilty and unpacking of some of the images in the exhibition. Afghan culture and history as seen through the eyes of the photojournalist.

Panellists: Andrew Quilty, Photojournalist and Author, Ellie Waterhouse, Curator

Session 2:  11:00am – 11:30am

Focus: Perspectives and issues around Western intervention in countries affected by conflict.

Panellists: Daniela Gavshon, Australia Director, Human Rights Watch Australia Andrew Quilty, Photojournalist and Author

Performance and Tea Break 11:30am – 12:30pm Tea break and singing performance in courtyard by Zahra Elham from Afghanistan, with thanks to Hannah Attwood (she/her), National Arts and Culture Manager – BEMAC and SSI.

Session 3:12:45pm – 1:15pm

Focus: The monetary and human cost of war and conflict. Differing experiences of life in Afghanistan. Discussion of some of the later images in the exhibition (the fall of Kabul)

Panellists: Andrew Quilty, Photojournalist and Author and Ellie Waterhouse, Curator

Afghanistan is a Museums & Galleries Queensland (M&G QLD) touring exhibition presented in partnership with photojournalist and author Andrew Quilty, and curator Ellie Waterhouse. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program. It is proudly sponsored by Heckler and supported by Human Rights Watch. M&G QLD is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.