KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Robaba Mohammadi, an Afghan painter and entrepreneur living in Canada, has been named Artist of the Year 2026 at the MAX Awards, organized by Muslims Achieving Excellence (MAX), in recognition of her artistic achievements and creativity.
Mohammadi received the award on Saturday, October 10, during the 10th annual MAX Awards Gala in Toronto, attended by dozens of artists and other guests.
In a statement shared on Instagram, SMILE Canada congratulated Mohammadi, describing her as an Afghan artist and entrepreneur participating in its OpenShop program. The organization said the award recognized her talent and creativity.
Mohammadi also expressed her happiness at receiving the award in a post on Instagram. She said the MAX Canada Artist of the Year 2026 award marked another achievement in her artistic career.
She added that the trophy meant more to her than simply receiving an award, describing it as a reminder of the days when she continued believing in her dreams and persevered despite difficulties.
Mohammadi was selected from among approximately 200 nominees. Following public voting and evaluations by a panel of judges, she advanced to the top 10 and then the final three candidates before being named the winner.
Born in 2000 in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, Mohammadi has a congenital physical disability that prevents her from using her hands and feet. She began painting in 2015 and developed her skills by holding pencils and paintbrushes in her mouth. Unable to attend school because of physical and accessibility barriers, she taught herself to read, write and draw, with support from her family.
Her work often portrays Afghan women, their experiences, aspirations and struggles. Over the years, her paintings have been exhibited in Afghanistan and internationally, helping her gain recognition as an artist.
In 2019, Mohammadi established the Robaba Art and Cultural Center in Kabul to teach painting, particularly to people with disabilities. The center provided an opportunity for aspiring artists to develop their skills and explore artistic expression. Her work has also been recognized internationally through her association with the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists.
Mohammadi left Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 and moved to Canada in early 2024. Since arriving in Canada, she has continued her artistic work and pursued opportunities to develop her creative enterprise through programs such as SMILE Canada’s OpenShop initiative.
The MAX Awards recognize individuals for achievements, leadership and contributions to their professional fields and communities in Canada. The Artist of the Year category honors significant accomplishments in the creative arts, while the wider awards program recognizes achievements across business, community service, leadership and other fields.
Mohammadi’s recognition comes as women and girls in Afghanistan continue to face severe restrictions under Taliban rule, including the prohibition on girls’ education beyond grade six and restrictions on women’s participation in public life and employment. Her international recognition highlights the continued contributions of Afghan women artists and the role of artistic expression in sharing their experiences and perspectives with audiences beyond Afghanistan.
