BE PROUD. BE YOU.

During the month of June, Hede Fashion Outlet celebrates Pride to work for an equal world free from prejudice, oppression and discrimination. Through the art exhibition BE PROUD. BE YOU. we put the personal story in focus and let LGBQTIA+ artists from all our centers in Europe express their unique story. In Sweden, this year's local creator is Muslim queer artist Suzan Habib. With her powerful story, the society and people that shaped her life are reflected in Suzan’s colorful artworks. The art depicts the flight from her homeland, the search for her true self and the story of finding home under the colors of the rainbow. On the opening day of the exhibition, Suzan will create a unique work of art that will be auctioned for the benefit of RFSL, the Swedish Federation for LGBTQIA+ rights.

This year's creator at Hede Fashion Outlet is the Muslim queer artist Suzan Habib. Suzan was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan and came to Sweden at the age of 16. Her teenage years were an escape from the oppressive Taliban regime of the 1990s. As a homosexual and the daughter of regime critics, Suzan’s life was marked by a constant threat of death. Her parents were politically active in the democratic government before the Taliban takeover and worked to get more people into education, especially women. When the government fell in 1992, a civil war broke out, making it dangerous for the family to stay in Kabul. Anyone who had previously worked for the regime was hunted down for execution. During a four-year period, the family fled to Sweden via northern Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Saint Petersburg. During those years, the family was split up, lived in hiding and finally reunited in Sweden.

Coming to Sweden was a complete liberation. Already at preschool age, Suzan was sure of her sexual orientation, and she fell in love with girls early on. As a child, she refused to follow the expectations of how she should behave and dress. Suzan was constantly asked if she was a girl or a boy. The feeling of being born in the wrong country and hiding her sexuality characterized many years of her life. It was only when she came to Sweden that she dared to come out.

– I started at an art school when I was 22. It was a very accepting environment, and I met many openly gay men and women. I felt a huge longing to be myself. This is where I met my first girlfriend, which led me to finally come out to my family, says Suzan Habib.

Coming out was associated with many fears. At the time, Fadime had just been murdered in Sweden after being subjected to honor-related violence. All sorts of thoughts were running through Suzan's mind. Would she be sent back to Afghanistan? Would she be shot to death? The fear of being rejected by her family was tremendous, but continuing to live a lie was impossible, regardless of the consequences. The reception from her parents was positive, even though they had turned a blind eye to the reality of her childhood. For a period, she broke contact with her relatives, but today they have also shown their acceptance.

– Everyone has a unique story of coming out and it is important to emphasize the seriousness of it. If I had remained gay in Afghanistan, I would have been lapidated. For many of us, it is still a matter of life and death, says Suzan Habib.

Today, Suzan is an artist and teacher based in Stockholm, and married to a woman with whom she has children. Her art reflects experiences of society, people and the flight from her home country. Norms and stereotypes are questioned in her work, with equal parts gloomy, comical and provocative elements. The artworks are characterized by a colorful expression with clear street art influences, produced in mixed media of graffiti, acrylic, oil and ink, where the message of the motifs is reinforced in text. The common thread through all works is LGBTIA+ issues.

– There are many layers to me as a person that are reflected in my art. I am a woman, born in a Muslim country, living in Sweden as an immigrant and I am a lesbian. Under the colors of the rainbow, I have found home. My art embraces and retells the safety I have found in the LGBTQIA+ community. My hope is that those who experience my art will find the same sense of belonging, says Suzan Habib. 

Paints artwork live at Hede Fashion Outlet – auctioning off to benefit RFSL

At Hede Fashion Outlet, Suzan Habib's art is exhibited in a joint exhibition with artists from other centers within VIA Outlets. In addition, Suzan will create a work of art live in an open vernissage during the opening day of the exhibition, which will be auctioned off for the benefit of RFSL. The revenues from the highest bidder will go in full to RFSL's activities to strengthen the rights of LGBTQIA+ people in society. The auction is open to the public to bid on and takes place digitally on Tradera with a closing date of June 30. 

Inaugurate Pride at Hede Fashion Outlet

Experience Pride at Hede Fashion Outlet on June 9 and take part in a folk festival with an open vernissage, auction, food and drinks.

• The exhibition shows artwork from LGBTQIA+ artists from all VIA Outlet centers in Europe and runs throughout the month of June.
• The exhibition opens with a vernissage on June 9 at 11 am.  
• On the opening day, June 9, Suzan Habib will create an artwork live on site that will be auctioned on Tradera for the benefit of RFSL. The auction runs until June 30.
• Find the auction here >
• Other artworks by Suzan will also be for sale during the opening day. 
• Hede Fashion Outlet offers food and drinks.
• The exhibition is located in the glass house, next to Scorett och Lexington.