Carpet-weavers have always been inspired by the familiar objects surrounding them. In the past flowers, birds and water jugs were woven into rugs. Then came war. During the ten-year Soviet occupation of Afghanistan 850,000-1.5 million civilians were killed and millions of Afghans fled to Pakistan and Iran. Tanks, helicopters, kalashnikovs and hand grenades became part of the everyday lives of Afghans and instruments of war began to appear as rug patterns.
After the World Trade Centre attacks a controversial new carpet began to emerge for sale depicting the attack on the twin towers. The patterns of these rugs are copied from U.S. propaganda leaflets dropped from the air to explain to Afghanis the reason for the 2001 American invasion. Purchasers of these 9-11 rugs are often American servicemen and women who buy them in Afghanistan.
Kevin Sudeith, a New York City artist, sells war rugs online at his site WarRug.com
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