“Art is a journey of self-discovery” – Afghan scholar explores identity in documentary

Mary Mousavi was born into refugee life. Years before her birth in 1989, like many others, her parents fled to Iran from Afghanistan in search of safety as the Soviet invasion of their home country raged on.

For years she questioned who she was – born in Iran but unable to gain citizenship, born to Afghan parents but not able to safely return to Afghanistan. 

In Iran, access to education and other public services are often restricted for Afghans, and opportunities in the job market are limited. This only amplified Mary’s struggles with her identity.

"One of the most important elements of our identity is our nationality. However, despite being born in Iran, I am not recognised as an insider,” she said. “I am considered ‘the Other’, because I was born to refugee parents.

“In Iran, I was numb to it. I was accustomed to how people viewed me, my status as a refugee, and the discrimination I faced. 

“However, when I came to Scotland and encountered a new form of displacement, those hidden feelings surfaced, and I began to question my identity.”

In 2023, Mary was accepted to study an Art & Humanities MFA at the University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD), after being awarded an Afghan Women’s Scholarship.

As part of her postgraduate project, she has made a series of documentaries that explore the effects of identity in shaping an individual’s characteristics and life experiences.

One of the documentaries follows Madison Safdari, another Afghan woman scholar at the University, as she explores how legal identity and status can be deciding factors in an individual’s life.

The film, ‘Maddie’, was be displayed at the DJCAD Masters Show 2024.

Madison was also born to refugee parents in Iran. Both women no longer hold refugee status in the country, as refugees are not permitted to attend university in Iran unless they change their status and apply for a visa, which must be renewed annually.  

In the documentary, Madison considers what’s next for her after graduating from the University of Dundee.

“This documentary is very personal to me. It reflects my own thoughts and experiences,” said Mary.

“In the film, Maddie explains how she is considering seeking asylum, but she’s exhausted with being a refugee and doesn’t want to be one anymore. She is fed up with being labelled as a refugee. 

“She considers applying for a Graduate visa. Even though it’s a huge risk for her, as she has no way to return to Afghanistan if she cannot find a job with the required minimum pay grade. Despite this, she wants to do that because the only thing she wanted in her life was to be a “normal” person. 

“This touched me. I was thinking the same – what am I going to do? I’m from Afghanistan, but I have no way back to Afghanistan. The Taliban is there, so if I go, I can’t work.

“The film mirrors my life. By the end of filming, we decided what we wanted to do. It’s all about identity – our identity as a displaced person, and our identity in this new environment.”

Mary and Madison are among a number Afghan women who were awarded a scholarship to study at the University this academic year. 

In 2022, Dundee was awarded University of Sanctuary status, joining a network of institutions across the UK that support students displaced by humanitarian crises. 

For Mary, the Afghan Women’s Scholarship has been a lifeline, offering the opportunity to further her education, and her passion.

“It was a miracle that accelerated my journey toward my main goal – filmmaking,” she said. 

“As an Afghan immigrant in Iran, I lacked the opportunity to travel or experience other cultures. It has exposed me to students from around the world, which was an invaluable experience for a curious filmmaker like me who is trying to address global inequality. 

“My experience at DJCAD has been a significant turning point in my life. It has helped me realise what art does for me – art is a journey of self-discovery.”