Iraqi
Art : Hashim Al Tawil Iraqi
Art : Hashim Al Tawil
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The art of Hashim Al-Tawil
Hashim Al-Tawil is
Professor of Art History at Henry Ford Community College, Michigan (USA). He
completed his education in Iraq and in the USA, and worked in Iraq in the
seventies and eighties on the faculty of the college of Fine arts, University of
Baghdad, and was active in the Iraqi visual art and cultural scene. His research
interests are directed towards history, art, and visual culture of the Arab
world and Islam. As a visual artist, much of his work is derived from the
subject of his research. His recent focus is on the hybridity of the
Mediterranean culture in medieval time. He received a Fulbright senior research
grant for 2007 in Italy, and a fellowship from Nantes Institute for Advanced
Studies, France for 2011. Since the invasion of Iraq he has given tens of
lectures and presentations on the destruction of Iraqi culture and more
specifically in the area of the systematic and deliberate dismantling of Iraq's
diverse and inclusive modern art landscape.
Images & Words
Oil & acrylic with mixed media on canvas; Different print techniques on paper.
This art exhibition is a sample of my work and visual experience to share with my fellows here at IEA. The theme in these works is derived from the culmination of the human loss in Iraq, and a reflection on the destruction of Iraq's culture: A process that started with the eruption of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), the invasion and annexation of Kuwait and the US led bombing of Iraq (1990-91), the economic sanction (1991-2003), and the US led invasion and occupation of 2003. Since 2003 museums have been looted, archeological sites have been rubbed, Iraqi cultural heritage has been appropriated by the invading forces and their mercenaries, University professors, intellectuals, thinkers, and scientists have been assassinated brutally, and over 4 millions Iraqis have been displaced inside Iraq and all over the world. The old pluralistic and diverse population of Iraq has been reduced to sectarian, tribal, and fundamentally fueled militia groups running the political affair of the country by quota, and tribal loyalty. Education and health service have been reduced to dangerously below standard, while ignorance and literacy is on the rise. Beside the human loss there is the cultural loss: the looting of Iraq’s antiquities, the smuggling of artworks, the burning of libraries, the pillaging of precious books, manuscripts, cultural matrimony, and the plundering of the country entire archive......... In short it has been a systematic processes of erasing the memory of Iraq.
This exhibit is a reminder of the silent ongoing suffering of bleeding country.
Oil & acrylic with mixed media on canvas; Different print techniques on paper.
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Operation Iraqi Freedom
Hashim Al-Tawil
3 works/ Etching -print & mixed media / Artist Proof (AP) /2005
The US led invasion in 2003 severely ruined Iraq on all aspects. The invasion smashed the social fabrics of Iraqi people, and ruined Iraq’s culture. Mr. George W. Bush appropriated the resources and superior military power of the United States and its people to invade, destroy and appropriate Iraq’s resources for the interest of the big corporate associated with him and served in his cabinet. First he named his war Operation Iraqi Liberation but was advised to change it to Operation Iraqi Freedom because the acronym of the former would be (OIL).
This work which was done in 2005 is a testament to the destruction and lose of human life that was an immediate result of Bush campaign on Iraq, where Iraq become a blood bath for Iraqis and Americans. This work has been exhibited in many galleries in the United States.
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Monument for Iraq (2005-2008) 3D work This monument comprise many pieces for one project that is evolving constantly. The project is a tribute and homage to the Iraqi people for their suffering for the last thirty years or so. The monument is a record of continued destruction, human loss, and cultural abuse that have been inflicted on the people of Iraq, which has disturbed their cultural, religious, and social fabrics in an alarming manners. The monument also invokes hope, rebirth and renewal of life that will prevail eventually. The largest piece (2005) – also the oldest, is made of constructed wood, mixed media, and acrylic paint. The three geometric pieces (2006-2007) are on the same line with the addition of etching and print effect. The prints (2008) are done in etching, collage, and painting. The text in these work is manifestation of the resilience of Iraqi people against invasion and oppression.
Baghdad 1990-1991 /Oil on canvas/ 200 cm x 120 cm
Hashim Al-Tawil
This work was an immediate reaction to the barbaric bombing on Iraq in 1990-1991 that lasted for 45 days and was lead by the USA and the contribution of 33 countries. For 45 days I watched that inhumane campaign on TV from my apartment in Iowa City, IA while attending the University of Iowa. The text in the work is a eulogy to Iraq and the Iraqi people. This work has been displayed in few exhibits in Michigan and published in university publications. It is in a private collection in Michigan.
