Afghan artist and entrepreneur Robaba Mohammadi has been named Artist of the Year at the 2026 MAX Awards in Canada, receiving the honor at the organization’s annual gala in Toronto.
Mohammadi received the award at the 10th annual MAX Awards Gala on Saturday, Oct. 10. The awards, organized by Muslims Achieving Excellence, or MAX, recognize achievements in professional, creative and community fields.
SMILE Canada announced Mohammadi’s recognition, describing her as an Afghan artist and entrepreneur participating in its OpenShop program.
“We’re proud to celebrate Robaba, an Afghan artist and entrepreneur in SMILE’s OpenShop program, and this well-deserved recognition of her talent and creativity,” the organization said.
Mohammadi was selected following a process that began with about 200 nominees and included public voting and a final assessment by a panel of judges.
Born in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, Mohammadi began painting professionally in 2015 and has since gained recognition for artwork that often portrays the experiences, aspirations and struggles of Afghan women.
She established an art center in Kabul where she worked with young women and other aspiring artists. Her work later gained international recognition, including through the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists.
Mohammadi left Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 and later resettled in Canada.
Since arriving in Canada, she has continued her artistic work and developed her creative enterprise, including through SMILE Canada’s OpenShop entrepreneurship program.
The Artist of the Year award marks the latest international recognition for Mohammadi, whose work has taken her from Afghanistan’s art community to exhibitions and programs abroad.
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