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This publication is an outgrowth of the Art in Iraq Today exhibition series held at Meem Gallery. It brings together a group of Iraqi artists with varying working methodologies, whom are united in their experience of exile. Having spent their formative years as artists in Iraq, this book documents their continuing contribution to Iraqi art, and highlights its importance in contemporary Middle Eastern art history. Although the artists examined in this publication are now part of the Iraqi diaspora, their work demonstrates the enduring talent of two generations of artists whose work represents Iraqi art today.

Book Contents
• Sponsor’s Foreword, Crescent Petroleum
• Introduction, Dia Al-Azzawi, Artist and exhibition curator
• Foreword, Charles Pocock, Managing Director and Curator, Meem Gallery, Dubai
• ‘Art in Iraq To-day,’ Jabra Ibrahim Jabra (reprint of the critic’s 1961 essay) ‘Absence and
Presence in the Work of Three Iraqi Artists: Modhir Ahmed, Nedim Kufi and Hanaa Malallah,’
May Muzaffar, Art critic and poet
• ‘Painters of Critical Moments: Ghassan Ghaib, Kareem Risan and Nazar Yahya,’ Farouk Yousif,
Art critic
• ‘In Lieu of the Sublime: Himat M. Ali, Amar Dawod and Delair Shaker,’ Dr Nada Shabout,
Associate Professor of Art History, University of North Texas
• ‘Reconfiguring Identity in Modern Iraqi Art: Dia Al-Azzawi,’ Samar Faruqi, Director of Research,
Meem Gallery
• ‘The Conceptual Displacement of Place: Ali Jabbar, Halim Al-Karim and Mahmoud Obaidi, Dr
Georges Rabbath, Curator and Doctor of Philosophy, Human Sciences, and Associate Professor
at Université Saint- Joseph, Beirut, Lebanon, 2004
• ‘“Art as a Psychological Outlet”: The Work of Contemporary Iraqi Artists,’ (reprint of the article
written for Contemporary Practices: Visual Arts from the Middle East, Samar Faruqi
• Bibliography
• Artist Statements and exhibitions lists
• Colour plates

2011 Exhibitions and Events
13 November - 3 December: A_rt in Iraq Today: Conclusion show_ and Book Launch, Meem Gallery
16 November : Book Launch, Abu Dhabi Art
23 November: Group Exhibition and Book Launch, Beirut Exhibition Centre

Past Exhibitions
Art in Iraq Today (Parts I- V)
Part I, October 2010 - Modhir Ahmed, Hanaa Malallah, Nedim Kufi
Part II, November 2010 - Ghassan Ghaib, Kareem Risan, Nazar Yahya
Part III, February 2011 - Himat M. Ali, Amar Dawod, Delair Shaker
Part IV, March 2011 - Dia Al-Azzawi, Rafa Ali-Nasiri, Ali Talib
Part V, May 2011 - Ali Jabbar, Halim Al-Karim, Mahmoud Obaidi
For artist biographies see <http://www.meemartgallery.com/exhibiting/index.php>