Kani Kamil – Doctoral Studies at Manchester Met

Iraqi-born, London-based artist Kani uses hair in her innovative visual and sound art. Her work emphasizes socio-political issues in Kurdish society and challenges stereotypes through her medium. Drawn to untold stories, Kani translates these narratives into social criticism, highlighting the unseen. Interested in archival material and decodes its content into art language, investigating the stories in the process. She uses hair as a key material, weaving personal narratives to challenge societal stigmas. Her work spans photography, installations, video performances, and sound. Her practice-based research focuses on the male-dominated public archive in relation to the visibility of Kurdish women, acknowledging women's history and success in Kurdish society using archival footage. This footage, created by an overlooked female archivist about women's issues, has been marginalized for over three decades.

Archive for Social Change

11th March 2024

In keeping with the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, “Inspire Inclusion”, my aspiration through this piece of writing is more than just stringing words together. It is about instilling a sense of belonging and value in women…

‘Archive can speak for those who cannot speak’ (Giorgio Agamben)

27th May 2021

As a visual artist my work reflects on the socio-political circumstances of Kurdish women in Iraq and seeks to challenge inequality of opportunity and represent marginalised voices. I am interested in revealing forgotten and hidden stories that need to…

Postgraduate research at Manchester Met

Author Archives: Kani Kamil

Archive for Social Change

‘Archive can speak for those who cannot speak’ (Giorgio Agamben)