Dia Azzawi

Place: Baghdad

Born: 1939

Biography:

Dia Azzawi is a renowned Iraqi artist, born in Baghdad in 1939. He is considered one of the most important figures in contemporary Arab art. Azzawi studied archaeology at the University of Baghdad before moving to England, where he obtained a PhD in Islamic art. He began his artistic career in the late 1960s as a founding member of the Baghdad Group for Contemporary Art. Azzawi's work is characterized by its political and social commentary, often drawing inspiration from Arabic literature and poetry. He has exhibited his work in numerous solo and group exhibitions around the world, and his art is held in collections of major museums such as the British Museum, the Tate Modern, and the Guggenheim.