Josef Jawed Valentin is a Stockholm-based artist. His practice is grounded in a deep commitment to human rights, particularly concerning the lives of children and women. Originally from Afghanistan, Josef moved to Sweden at the age of 12. Working primarily in oil painting, he uses meticulous technique and expressive detail to portray powerful, often difficult, narratives.

Josef's artistic vision is shaped by his early experiences and observations of injustice in his homeland. His work centers on themes of freedom, oppression, and resilience, blending precise brushwork with emotionally charged imagery to illuminate complex social realities. Each painting becomes a space where personal memory and political critique meet, evoking empathy, awareness, and reflection.

His recent exhibition Deprived of Freedom at WAY gallery Sthlm focused on women's voices and their struggles, both personal and collective, under systems of constraint. Through this body of work, Josef explored how freedom can be limited not only by physical barriers, but also by cultural norms and psychological trauma.