Nazar Yahya

The show is both a visual and emotional experience. An exercise in bittersweet nostalgia, the exhibition is laden with intention to simultaneously be situated in the present moment as well as the past. The artist’s focus on the story of Abu Abdullah, the last Arab leader of Granada, or “Boabdil” as the Spanish have since rendered the name, carries with it the remorse of the last king as he bade farewell to his kingdom with one famous last sigh before being forced to surrender it to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492. The infamous story of the last Moorish king serves as the artist’s prompt to investigate many themes including exile, isolation, and the pain over the loss of a homeland; in addition to power rendered antiquated and impotent.

Meem Gallery is pleased to present the conclusion show of the Art in Iraq Today exhibition series. The exhibition will include selected works by the artists displayed during Parts I-V of the series (held from October 2010 – May 2011).

This is the second part of four exhibitions displaying contemporary Iraqi art. Curated by Dia Azzawi, Art in Iraq Today: Part II exhibits the work of Ghassan Ghaib, Kareem Risan...