By: Cadie Hopkins
NEW YORK November 1, 2023 – The Command Purpose Foundation, Sisters of Service, and Jenn Hassin today announced the official opening of the Project Raha art exhibition and Artsy online auction. This exhibition not only shares a glimpse into the strength, perseverance, and profound connections of U.S. and Afghan veteran women who served alongside one another in Afghanistan for twenty years, but also serves as a visual reminder of a conflict long forgotten. It is a testament to friends and service members lost, an ode to the women who forged bonds of sisterhood through service, and a story of collective healing for all post-9/11 veterans that transcends national and cultural divides.
Project Raha took flight on the two-year anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, bringing together a diverse group of women committed to creating something extraordinary.
“Raha” which translates to “release” in the Dari language, is a joint art project between Afghan and U.S. women military veterans and a partnership between equals — The Command Purpose Foundation; Sisters of Service, a collection of women veterans from the U.S. Cultural Support Teams and their Afghan sisters in arms; and artist Jenn Hassin — and demonstrates the power of art as a medium to process transition.
As part of Project Raha, U.S. and Afghan women veterans joined forces for two art retreats in Texas to transform materials tied to memories from their time in service into paper and pulp. These materials included old military uniforms, traditional Afghan clothes, hijabs and shemages, as well as clothing worn during the evacuation effort on C-17s. Through this creative process, they honored loved ones lost, memories forgotten, and friendships reborn anew.
After the art retreats, Jenn Hassin embarked on a creative journey, responding to the shared experiences by crafting a fresh body of work. Motivated by the resilience and connectivity of her US and Afghan veteran sisters, she allowed the encounter and materials to shape the process. Hassin pushed the boundaries of her artistry, endeavoring to visually narrate stories shared with her.
The artworks created through Project Raha will be on display at Affirmation Arts in Manhattan from November 2 to 30, open on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. ET to 6:00 p.m. ET. The venue is sponsoring this powerful exhibit, offering the public a chance to witness the intimate artistic expression of these veteran women.
An online auction where supporters can bid and purchase artwork created through Project Raha will be powered by Artsy, the leading online auction house, beginning November 1 through 13. It is an opportunity for art enthusiasts, supporters of veterans, and all who recognize the honorable service of U.S. and Afghan partners to acquire these unique, meaningful, and transformative pieces made collectively and by Jenn Hassin. The proceeds from this auction will go directly to support the Afghan servicewomen who were evacuated when Kabul fell, and who now live in legal limbo in the U.S. through no fault of their own.
Altana is sponsoring the opening weekend, bringing Afghan women to New York City to see their art exhibited and to be reunited, celebrating the strength of their sisterhood and their continued journey to rebuild their lives in the United States.
As we approach Veterans Day, we invite the public to join us in commemorating the service and sacrifices of our veterans, while celebrating the resilience of these women who continue to inspire in the face of hardship. To learn more about Project Raha visit our Project Raha website.
About Command Purpose Foundation
The Command Purpose Foundation, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to serving military women transitioning into the civilian world. For this project, they harnessed the therapeutic potential of art to help these women veterans process the complex resettlement journey following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
About Sisters of Service
Sisters of Service was founded by female Army service members in the wake of the refugee crisis following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan to ensure their Afghan sisters-in-arms had a bedrock of support throughout their resettlement journey. Project Raha furthers the Sisters of Service mission by offering female veterans and refugees pathways for continued meaningful acts of service and opportunities to uplift one another while overcoming everyday life challenges.
About Jenn Hassin
Jenn Hassin, a U.S. Air Force veteran and acclaimed artist, is at the heart of this endeavor. Hassin is known for her transformative work, collecting personal artifacts that carry embedded histories of trauma and using them as the raw materials for her art. She brings these materials to life, creating wall hangings, installations, and sculptures that give a voice to the matter itself.