Art in Iraq Today

A book that highlights the enduring talent of a group of contemporary Iraqi artists who are united in their experience of exile. Modern Iraqi art represents one of the main foundation stones of modern Arab culture. As with Iran, modern and contemporary culture in Iraq draws heavily on its rich pre-Islamic and Islamic heritage, from the Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian civilizations through to Ottoman Baghdad, the Iraq of the Baath Party, and today a country that has been ravaged by foreign invasion. In the 1970s, Baghdad was at the center of a pan-Arab art movement. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, it became clear that the art movement was becoming a political tool of propaganda for the Baath Party. Forced to work within the parameters set by the government, a number of leading artists decided to leave Iraq for Europe and North America. Today, a new generation of Iraqi artists is receiving much-deserved international acclaim. Their art draws increasing attention from international seasoned collectors and is at the forefront of modern and contemporary Arab art.