Growing up, to everyone at school I was Daniel but when I came home I was Dorron (my middle name). The US was at war with Afghanistan for my entire childhood, so when kids heard that I was Afghan the words that followed were usually "terrorist" or another negative response. But when I'd come home to my family it was the total opposite, I felt and learned all about the beauty of our culture, history, and people. As a kid trying to find their place in the world, my identity felt like a juxtaposition that sparked curiosity to experience where I come from for myself one day. As I evolved into an artist, that same curiosity manifested into a dream of creating a project that would show the world the side of Afghanistan they'd never seen before.
And that's exactly what I'm here to do. This is a fascinating country with so much to offer, but western media has only focused on negative narratives to shape the world's perspective in a specific way. No matter where you are, when people hear “Afghanistan” their first thoughts are typically war, violence, or poverty. I'm here to shift that perception by showing you the cultural depth, beauty, and humanity that exists all over the country. Many of the places I'm visiting haven't been documented in decades and take serious logistics to get to.
For now, here is a series of images from an early morning overlooking Kabul that I made last week. These photos give me goosebumps, felt like a dream witnessing this. So much more about this project coming soon. 🇦🇫❤️
The more people I meet around the world, the more I realize the importance of representation. I love the little moments where I connect with people from different walks of life because I know an athlete, musician, or the national dish from their country. Seeing the way someone's eyes light up with excitement over something that feels small suddenly holds extreme importance — the power of representation. I'm grateful to represent Afghanistan on the @dazed 100 MENA list among so many influential creatives driving culture forward. ❤️🇦🇫
One year ago I showed up to Miami with the goal of having a solo show during Art Week, and now we're here ❤️
My fine art photography exhibition opens today @scopeartshow booth E05. The show features never-before-seen works from Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and South Sudan. We're also debuting my series 'Outside The Box' and two pieces from my collaboration with Magnus Walker.
If you're in Miami, come through!! The show runs Dec 2-7 from 11am-8pm.
Moments from my private show & artist talk during Frieze week in LA. Shared previews and stories from my Afghanistan project that rolls out later this year. A privilege to represent my motherland in spaces like this around the world ❤️🇦🇫
Directed the 2026 artist residency campaign for LIV Las Vegas. Commercial projects give an opportunity to step outside of my world and build new ones with amazing people. This was months of work developing something special out of nothing, and the most technical project I've made. Thousands of renderings that came to life through fully custom CGI, will share more on the creative process soon. I was also brought on as the Creative Director for the overall 2026 marketing campaign for LIV Las Vegas & LIV Beach that'll be rolled out all year with @originalcreativeagency .
Thank you for your collaboration and good energy @johnsummit@domdolla@tiesto@davidguetta@discolines@mrjesserose@mikedkot
My motivation for everything I do is my parents. They both came to America as refugees from Afghanistan and did everything they could for me and my brother to follow our dreams. Blessed to be surrounded by my family and friends last night at the gala opening of my solo exhibition at the LA Art Show. A night I'll never forget ❤️
LA exhibition opens tomorrow.
Debuting my piece Fever Dream for the first time, alongside a curated selection of my limited-edition fine art photography from around the world.
January 7–11, 12–8 PM
Last year I knocked down every foundational pillar of my life. Those who know me how much I sacrificed to follow my dream and create the life I knew I was meant to. Nothing makes me feel more alive than experiencing new cultures, creating human connections, and documenting the stories along the way. When you move with intention and follow your intuition, the universe opens doors you didn't know existed. You attract the energy you put out. My first Miami solo exhibition was a testament to that. Grateful for all the love the show brought in. Just the beginning ❤️
I wish I could express how much the response to my first Miami solo exhibition means. I put so much into making this happen. Years of work, manifestation, action, energy and focus. From curating and installing the show all the way down to designing the labels - I created it all from nothing. No team, no promo, just genuine love for the opportunity to share my work and the stories behind it. Was the first exhibitor in and the last one out every day. Ran the booth with one of my best childhood friends. Met thousands of people and had amazing conversations. People cried from looking at my work and hearing the backstories. Connected with new collectors from around the world. Grateful to have so many works sold and on their way to new homes. I left every day looking up at the sky with chills. Thank you to everyone who made this possible, can't wait to be back @scopeartshow next year. Just the beginning. ❤️
The story behind my favorite photograph I made in South Sudan. The 'Mundari' limited edition print will be on display for the first time at my exhibition @scopeartshow in Miami next week from Dec 2-7. For every print sold, a percentage of proceeds goes directly to developing the next generation of visual storytellers in underserved communities around the world.
If you're in Miami for Art Week this year, I have a solo photography exhibition @scopeartshow Dec 2-7 from 11am-8pm. Will be showing never-before-seen works from around the world, come through!!
