Sparks in the Dark: 260 Weeks of Resilience | August 2026 – August 2027 | Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne

We were honoured to present Sparks in the Dark: 260 Weeks of Resilience at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, an exhibition reflecting on the enduring impact of the War in Afghanistan and the resilience of Afghan women.

At the heart of the exhibition are 260 hand-embroidered handkerchiefs created by 45 Afghan women living in Afghanistan — one for every week since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Each piece carries the name, creativity, and story of a woman living with the ongoing impact of conflict.

The exhibition brings together these traditional Afghan embroideries with contemporary artworks by Afghan-Australian artist Mursal Azizi and Australian artist and veteran Kat Rae, alongside works from the Defence community and the Shrine of Remembrance’s collection. Together, the works create a space for reflection on the human impact of war and the experiences of those who continue to live with its consequences.

For Hoori Handmade, the exhibition represents more than an opportunity to share beautiful craftsmanship. It creates a space where Afghan women’s stories can be seen, heard and remembered, and where their skills, creativity and voices can be recognised.

We are deeply grateful to the Shrine of Remembrance, Kat Rae, Kate Spinks-Colas, Katrina Nicolson, and everyone involved in bringing Sparks in the Dark to life. We are especially grateful to the 45 women whose work and stories are at the heart of this exhibition.

Sparks in the Dark: 260 Weeks of Resilience is open to the public at the Shrine of Remembrance from August 2026 to August 2027.