54th Venice Biennale – Deep view inside

Title of the exhibition: Wounded Water. Six Iraqi Artists interpret the theme of water (Venue: Gervasuti Foundation, between Giardini and Arsenale)

Iraq’s experimental contemporary artists have never had a chance to present their work for an Iraq Pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia; the first and last major appearance in 1976 outlined only some of their “modern” artists. The Iraq Pavilion for 2011 showed the world an exciting professionally-curated selection of 6 Iraqi artists from two generations, including various artistic media (painting, performance, video, photography, sculpture/installation).

These artists, studying at the Fine Arts Academy in Baghdad, completed their arts studies in Europe and USA. They represent two generations: one, born in the early 1950’s, has experienced both the political instability and the cultural richness of that period in Iraq. Ali Assaf, Azad Nanakeli and Walid Siti came of age in the 1970’s during the period of the creation of political socialism that marked their background. The second generation, to include Adel Abidin, Ahmed Alsoudani and Halim Al Karim, grew up during the drama of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), the invasion of Kuwait, overwhelming UN economic sanctions and subsequent artistic isolation. This generation of artists exited the country before the 2003 invasion, finding refuge in Europe and USA by sheer fortune coupled with the artistic virtue of their work.