Interview 

Themes of Archaic #3: Water

The Berlin-based artist Nadine Hattom’s installation Until the River Winds Ninety Degrees West, commissioned for ‘Archaic,’ the Iraq Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale, reflects on her family’s history and the ancient traditions of the Mandaean community that she grew up in. The Mandaeans are a religious group from southern Iraq whose cultural practices particularly relate to water…
 

Contemporizing Iraqi cuisine: Chef and founder Philip Juma

JUMA Kitchen is a food pop-up concept in London, celebrating the best of Iraqi cuisne. Founder and chef Philip Juma developed contemporary adaptations of traditional Iraqi dishes, often using family recipes, and hosts regular supper clubs and fundraising events in London. “Through food, JUMA Kitchen aims to break down stereotypes of Iraq, and connect people…
Interview 

‘Why are we ashamed of our mistakes?’ Interview with the artist Shirwan Fatih

Shirwan Fatih (born 1974, Iraq) lives and works in Sulaymaniya, Iraq. He is among a new wave of artists in Sulaymaniya to work with site-specific work, installation, and video art. Fatih focuses on the education system in Iraq, and works closely with schools and schoolchildren to produce his work. For the project Rubber (2009), Shirwan…
Cartoon 

‘An Artistic Career’: September Cartoon

The Baghdad-based caricaturist Khudair Alhimyari has drawn ‘An Artistic Career’, a new cartoon series for the month of September, commissioned by the Ruya Foundation. Climbing the Career Ladder Freedom of Expression 1st image: “Theoretical” 2nd image: “Practical” 3rd image: “Precautionary”