Modern art and artists from this part of the world tend to be too little known in the West, so this is an invaluable document of an important representative figure. It's interesting to see how Azzawi finds inspiration in the art of the long past of his homeland, and extends its spirit and forms into the modern age. It's so tragic to see the promise of the era of the artist's youth, when a generation of new talent and vision was emerging in Iraq, dissipated and squandered in the face of dictatorship, invasion, war, and sectarian violence. Azzawi at least survives as witness to that past and continuing contributor to a precious tradition, which may yet harbinger a brighter future for the people of that storied if scarred land.
Loved this conversation. I often put words in my art and don't know why but I feel it belongs there. Calligraphy is what drew me here to watch today. I dabble in calligraphy and once entertained studying Arabic calligraphy. Someone locally was teaching it. Thank you for the history of your art journey. ❤
A very interesting Artist... a very disinterested interviewer. I will look elsewhere for this gentleman’s story, his incredible life, heritage and journey into art is very much worth listening to.
Just published is a big catalogue for Azzawi Oxford exhibition: A Picture of Poetry (Skira, 2023). The very interesting responses from a wide range of readers will find answers to question raised in this book. Several articles on the artist.
