Olomi Afghan artist

This piece was inspired by the Buddhas of Bamiyan, a worldly historic monument that previously stood 55 and 38 meters tall, and by Olomi's own recreation of the Western Buddha at the Hotel Inter-Continental, Kabul.

He re-constructed it from concrete and strong materials “because it needed to last forever.” Olomi's recreation of the historic Buddha statue was destroyed by the Taliban in August, 2021. They have also destroyed many other pieces of his art across Afghanistan.

This piece, The Great Buddhas of Afghanistan, depicts the history of the great Buddhas over the last 2000 years as well as news clippings and Olomi's messages surrounding the Buddhas

Originally painted in 2009, this piece was illustrates Olomi's optimism and hope that Afghanistan was going to be able to stand on its own two feet. The image shows a broken woman who isn't defeated, who is still standing tall and strong.

The 2022 version of this painting portrays a more shattered and broken version of the same woman. The background shows mountains and a massive explosion, and there is a river of blood by her right foot.

The 2009 version was used as the cover for a book entitled "The Sound of Breaking Feet" (translated from Farsi).

This piece was inspired by the National Geographic cover from June 1985: a famous photograph entitled Afghan Girl. Olomi chose to do a realism recreation of her eyes with oil on canvas.

Sharbat Gula's eyes are what really jump out to the viewer of the photo and spoke to the whole world, and drew attention to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

This piece depicts a man during Ramadan, he's sitting on hay in a corner, leaning against a wooden pillar.

Olomi was commissioned to do a small series of portraits for Loy Khan Zaman Khan's family. Loy Khan Zaman Khan was a famous official in the Afghan army during the reign of King Amanullah Khan.

Loy Khan Zaman Khan was an afghan nobleman, and well respected by the people of Afghanistan. Olomi had only a tiny passport photo to work from, taken in 1920.

Olomi researched the historical era, learning about historically accurate weapons and guns, boots, style and clothing, even the official military uniform.

Olomi was commissioned to do a small series of portraits for Loy Khan Zaman Khan's family. Loy Khan Zaman Khan was a famous official in the Afghan army during the reign of King Amanullah Khan.

Loy Khan Zaman Khan was an afghan nobleman, and well respected by the people of Afghanistan. Olomi had only a tiny passport photo to work from, taken in 1920.

Olomi researched the historical era, learning about historically accurate weapons and guns, boots, style and clothing, even the official military uniform.

This particular portrait will be carved into a copper plate and be placed on a monument in Afghanistan.

This impressionist piece is another recreation of the famous face of the Afghan Girl from the cover of the National Geographic. The painting is made out of tiny little Xs, except her eyes.

This distinctive style draws the viewer in, much like the Haunting Eyes piece, as they're the most closely detailed area.

This portrait of Elon Musk contains hidden symbols, such as Space X and Tesla logos in the businessman's eyes. Olomi accurately recreated the beauty marks and minute details in Elon's face.

Olomi is interested in donating the painting to Musk, and he requests in return that Musk help Afghanistan with Starlink internet as he did in Ukraine.

Olomi would be happy to hand deliver the piece to Elon and thank him for his help with Starlink. The piece was done with reference to two differnt photos: one with his hands clasped under his chin, the pose Elon takes when he's deep in thought, as well as one image where he's posing with his hands pressed together in front of his face.