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Hyperallergic

"The 2019 Venice Biennale was closed today, November 13, due to extreme weather conditions that caused record-high floods and killed two people in the lagoon city. But for more than a week, the Iraq Pavilion at the Venice Biennale has been closed to visitors in a strike against the Iraqi authorities."

Arab News

"In a show of solidarity with anti-government protestors, the Iraq Pavilion at the Venice Biennale has shut down"

Artnet News

"The Organizers of Iraq’s Venice Biennale Pavilion Have Closed the Show in Solidarity With Anti-Government Protests Rocking the Country"

The Art Newspaper

Serwan Baran confirms the Iraq pavilion's recent closure “in solidarity with the demonstrators demanding rights”. He adds: “I say loudly, the people will prevail as long as we are with them.”

Architectural Digest Middle East

Architecural Digest speaks to artist Serwan Baran: "I trust that I am able to represent everyone who lives in Iraq, and I know I can touch every individual, from the youngest to the oldest, and describe the interior of each house that has suffered a loss.”  

ITSLIQUID

ITSLIQUID reviews Fatherland's "commentary on the masculine and paternalistic dimensions of political culture in Iraq and the region."

FAD Magazine

Pablo Power writes that 'Fatherland' is "emblematic of the wonders that [the] Biennale can reveal upon exploration."

Arab News

Rawaa Talass interviews Tamara Chalabi about the Iraq Pavilion, and how it questions “what (good) is the fatherland if all you’re asked to do is die?”

Le Monde

Philippe Dagen writes that "the Iraq Pavilion, which has a different address each time, is one of the most interesting pavilions outside of Giardini and Arsenale. It is the case again this year."

ArtAsiaPacific

"Brutal and concise", the Iraq Pavilion presents "the perspective of those fighting [which] is rarely heard much less presented as nuanced."

The Financial Times

Jackie Wullschläger reviews the Pavilion "which fronts the Grand Canal, which becomes in the imagination the waterway on which ['The Last General's] little burial ship will travel to the afterlife."

The Art Newspaper

Tim Cornwell quotes Tamara Chalabi, discussing the Biennale and its relationship to nationalism and controversy.

Biennale Art Guide

The Biennale Art Guide includes the Iraq Pavilion in its listings of national pavilions.

Albawaba

Albawaba includes Fatherland in its survey of Arab pavilions at the Venice Biennale.

Galerie

Galerie Magazine mentions the Iraq Pavilion in their May 2019 issue.

La Repubblica

Leading Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, includes the Iraq Pavilion in its culture supplement for the Venice Biennale.

Vogue Arabia

Vogue Arabia includes director, Tamara Chalabi, in a feature on leading women at the Venice Biennale.

Whitewall

The Whitewall guide to the Venice Biennale includes Baran's works which "interrogate nationalist and religious ideologies that are often carried out on the backs of soldiers."

YT Media

YT Media publishes a preview of 'Fatherland' in its Venice guide.

Arab News

Arab News mentions the Iraq Pavilion and its "expressive and combative works."

Artribune

"For that cruel homeland tens of thousands of young Iraqis fought and died; as a survivor, Baran makes them an ideal homage" comments Niccolò Lucarelli of Italian paper Artribune.

Artsy

Artsy covers all of the artists in the 58th Venice Biennale, including Serwan Baran.

Le Journal des Arts

French paper, Le Journal des Arts includes the Iraq Pavilion on its Venice round up.

Selections

Selections cover the national pavilions at the Venice Biennale, 2019.

Artmap

Artmap includes 'Fatherland' on its list of exhibitions for the 58th Venice Biennale.

The Art Newspaper

For Alison Cole, Editor of The Art Newspaper, the 2017 Iraq Pavilion was "a personal highlight." Here she chooses 'Fatherland' as one of her picks for the 2019 Venice Biennale.

Hyperallergic

Jasmine Weber includes Serwan Baran on her weekly round up 'Art Movements.'

Widewalls

Widewalls announces the Iraq pavilion's exhibition 'Fatherland' as part of their 'Who's Coming to Venice Biennale 2019? Confirmed Artists So Far' series.

Exibart

Exibart discusses the "expressionist horrors of war" on show at the Iraqi pavilion.

ArtAsiaPacific

Pamela Wong covers the announcement of the 'Fatherland' exhibition, and provides background on the artist Serwan Baran.

ArtForum

ArtForum introduces Serwan Baran as the artist representing the Iraq Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale.

ArtNews

The Iraq pavilion announcement was featured by ArtNews.

Mada Masr

Egypt's Mada Masr mentions Iraqi mid-century artists Jewad Selim and Shakir Hassan Al-Said, whose works were presented at the National Pavilion of Iraq during the 57th Venice Biennale.

The Telegraph

The Telegraph selects Archaic, the exhibition of The National Pavilion of Iraq, as one of the must-see events of the 57th Venice Biennale.

Elephant

Elephant Magazine on how the quest for identity through cultural inheritance is one of the main themes of Archaic, the exhibition curated by Tamara Chalabi and Paolo Colombo for the National Pavilion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale.

Observer

The National Pavilion of Iraq mentioned on USA's Observer.  

The National

The National reviews the artists selected for the National Pavilion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale

Il Giornale dell’Arte

Il Giornale Dell'Arte writes about The National Pavilion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale.

L’Officiel

Delfina Foundation Director Aaron Cezar speaks of the National Pavilion of Iraq as one of the highlights of the 57th Venice Biennale.

Kunstkritikk

Norwegian Magazine Kunstkritikk describes the National Pavilion of Iraq as a must-see of the 57th Venice Biennale.

Svenska Dagbladet

Swedish Newspaper Svenska Dagbladet writes about the National Pavilion of Iraq.

CNN Style

Francis Alÿs interviewed on CNN Style about the role of the artist in areas of conflict.

The Economist

The National Pavilion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale mentioned on The Economist.

Newsweek

Ruya co-founder Tamara Chalabi reflects on The Meursault Investigation, a novel by writer Kamel Daoud inspired by Albert Camus's novel The Outsider.

Architectural Digest

Architectural Digest writes about National Pavilion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale.

The Independent

The National Pavilion of Iraq included in The Independent's "Venice Biennale: 10 best fringe events" list.

ArtDaily

Artdaily writes about the ancient artefacts exhibited in the National Pavilion of Iraq as part of the 57th Venice Biennale for the first time in thirty years.

Artsy

Artsy reports on the trip to Iraq of belgian-born artist Francis Alÿs as part of a project commissioned by the Ruya Foundation for the 57th Venice Biennale.

Artforum

A piece on the National Pavilion of Iraq on Artforum.

Saudi Gazette

The Saudi Gazette writes about Sadik Kwaish Alfraji's work presented at the National Pavilion of Iraq and commissioned by the Ruya Foundation for the 57th Venice Biennale.

La Stampa

Tamara Chalabi interviewed by Italian newspaper La Stampa

The Financial Times

The National Pavilion of Iraq featured on The Financial Times as part of a piece addressing how national pavilions address the notion of statehood and statelessness.

Canvas

UAE magazine Canvas writes about 'Archaic' the exhibition at The National Pavilion of Iraq for the 57th Venice Biennale.

The Art Newspaper – Review

The Art Newspaper picks the National Pavilion of Iraq of one of the must-see Pavilions of the 57th Venice Biennale.

Apollo Magazine

Apollo Magazine mentions the National Pavilion of Iraq as one of the highlights of the 2016 Venice Biennale.

The Times

The Times speaks of the National Pavilion of Iraq for the 57th Venice Biennale.

The Guardian

The Guardian speaks with Ruya co-founder Tamara Chalabi about the ancient treasures of Iraq, displayed for the first time outside of the country during the 57th Venice Biennale.

Artnet news

Artnet news speaks of the ancient Iraqi artefacts to be exhibited for the first time outside Iraq at the National Pavilion of Iraq as part of the 57th Venice Biennale.

The New York Times

The New York Times speaks of the looted art and ancient works that were displayed for the first time outside of Iraq as part of the 57th Venice Biennale.

The National

The National speaks of the ancient Iraqi artefacts spanning six millennia that were exhibited at the National Pavilion of Iraq as part of the 57th Venice Biennale.

Aesthetica

Aesthetica speaks of Francis Alÿs's visit to Baghdad and the refugee camps of Northern Iraq, as part of a project commissioned by the Ruya Foundation.

Nafas Art Magazine

Nafas Art Magazine speaks about the artists showcased during "Archaic", the exhibition curated by Tamara Chalabi and Paolo Colombo for the National Pavilion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale.

The Guardian

Ruya Foundation founder Tamara Chalabi speaks to The Guardian about the looted ancient artefacts from Iraq, showcased at the 57th Venice Biennale as part of 'Archaic' the exhibition co-curated by Tamara Chalabi and Paolo Colombo for the National Pavilion of Iraq.

BBC

Tamara Chalabi is interviewed by BBC Newshour about the Iraq's looted ancient art showcased at the Venice Biennale in 2017.

The Art Newspaper

The Art Newspaper writes about the recovered ancient artefacts drawn from the National Museum of Iraq and showcased at the 57th Venice Biennale as part of 'Archaic' the exhibition co-curated by Tamara Chalabi and Paolo Colombo for the National Pavilion of Iraq.

Artforum

Artforum speaks of the ancient Iraqi artefacts showcased at the National Pavilion of Iraq for the 2017 Venice Biennale.

Artforum

Artforum shares some of the notes artist Francis Alÿs compiled during his embedment with the Kurdish Peshmerga. The final project was commissioned by the Ruya Foundation and was exhibited at the National Pavilion of Iraq during the 57th Venice Biennale.

Harper’s Bazaar Arabia

Harper's Bazaar Arabia speaks of the artists selected for the National Pavilion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale. The articles highlights how the exhibition 'Archaic', co-curated by Ruya Foundation's Tamara Chalabi and Paolo Colombo, seeks to shed light on the opportunities and restrictions presented to artists working from Iraq today.

Artdaily

Artdaily speaks about the Ruya Foundation's role in nurturing and promoting a new form of artistic expression in Iraq shedding light on the contemporary Iraqi artists selected for the 57th Venice Biennale.

The Art Newspaper

The Art Newspaper reports on the work produced of belgian-born artist Francis Alÿs following his time with a Kurdish batalion on Mosul's frontline in northern Iraq. The project was commissioned by The Ruya Foundation for the 57th Venice Biennale.

Artnet news

Artnet news writes about the works produced by belgian-born artist Francis Alÿs and commissioned by the Ruya Foundation for the National Pavilion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale.

Blouin Artinfo

Blouin Artinfo writes about the artists selected for this year's 57th Venice Biennale with a focus on the new body of work produced by Belgian-born artist Francis Alÿs, specially commissioned by the Ruya Foundation for the National Pavilion of Iraq.

La Stampa

Italian newspaper La Stampa interviews Paolo Colombo, co-curator of the National Pavillion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale, on his artistic and curatorial practice spanning across three decades and numerous countries.

The New York Times

Critic Holland Cotter mentions the Iraq Pavilion as one of the highlights of the 57th Venice Biennale.

ArtReview

ArtReview speaks to Tamara Chalabi and Paolo Colombo, Co-curators of the Iraq Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale.

The New York Times

The New York Times reports the National Pavilion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale will show the work of eight Modern and contemporary artists in dialogue with 40 ancient Iraqi artefacts drawn from the Iraq Museum, many of which have never been exhibited outside of Iraq. The exhibition, 'Archaic' has been organised by the Ruya Foundation and is curated Tamara Chalabi and Paolo Colombo.

Financial Times

Ruya's Iraq Office Director, Furat al Jamil, spoke to the Financial Times about young artists living and working in Iraq.

Harper’s Bazaar Art

Ruya's recent projects and initiatives are featured in the September 2016 issue of Harper's Bazaar Art.

Artribune

The Artribune reports that Ruya Co-founder Tamara Chalabi and Paolo Colombo will co-curate the National Pavilion of Iraq at the 57th Venice Biennale.

The Art Newspaper

The Art Newspaper includes the Ruya Foundation in their summary of how artists and museums are addressing the refugee crisis.

The Arab Weekly

Ruya Foundation's participation in Art16 was featured in The Arab Weekly.

Niqash

Niqash spotlights the ongoing work of Ruya to create international opportunities for, and foster recognition of, Iraqi contemporary artists.

Gazet Van Antwerpen

An interview with artist Haider Jabbar was featured in the Gazet Van Antwerpen on the occasion of his solo exhibition in Sint-Antonius, Zoersel. Jabbar speaks of his work being included in 'Invisible Beauty' the exhibition commissioned for the Iraq Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale, which is currently on show at S.M.A.K in Ghent.    

Zoersel Magazine

An interview with artist Haider Jabbar was featured in Zoersel Magazine on the occasion of his solo exhibition in Sint-Antonius, Zoersel. Jabbar speaks of his work being included in 'Invisible Beauty' the exhibition commissioned for the Iraq Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale, which is currently on show at S.M.A.K in Ghent.

Hyperallergic

Tamara Chalabi talks about the Ruya Artist Database and the intentions of the platform with Hyperallergic.

The Art Newspaper

The Art Newspaper reports on the launch of the Ruya Artist Database.

The Art Newspaper

Ruya Foundation was featured as a highlight of Art16, the London Global Art Fair in The Art Newspaper.    

How to Spend It, FT

Iraqi artists Ahmad Abdul Razzaq, Dilan Abdin, Julie Adnan are amongst those mentioned in the Financial Times's How To Spend It, which highlights Ruya's booth at Art16.

The Art Newspaper

Ruya Foundation's research trip in Northern Iraq with the artist Francis Alys appears in The Art Newspaper.

Paleett Magazine

Paleett Magazine features Ruya's exhibition in the British Embassy in the International Zone, curated and organised in partnership with the Canadian Embassy.

CNN Style

On the occasion of Latif Al Ani being honoured as a 2015 Prince Claus Laureate, CNN profiles the photographer, mentioning his presentation at the Iraq Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale.

The Art Newspaper

The Art Newspaper spotlights the ongoing work of Francis Alÿs and Ai Weiwei with Ruya in Iraqi refugee camps, with quote from Tamara Chalabi.

The Christian Science Monitor

Report from The Christian Science Monitor on the first edition of "Ruya Labs", a series of art workshops for artists and art students of Baghdad. The first instalment invited the curator of folk and traditional music Rolf Killius to create the sound art project "Wahid Baghdad", where participants used contemporary sounds from the city to think the heritage of traditional Iraqi music.

L’Obs

Ruya's drama therapy work with young Iraqi orphans on French news magazine L'Obs.

BBC News

Tim Allman from BBC News presents a video report on Ruya's drama therapy performance.

AFP

AFP reports on Ruya's drama therapy project with a group of teenage girls from a Baghdad orphanage.

How To Spend It, FT

Pavilion artist Latif al Ani's photographs, and Ruya Foundation's publication Traces of Survival: Drawings by Refugees in Iraq Selected by Ai Weiwei, were listed in the Collector's Highlights of the 56th Venice Biennale in the Financial Times's How To Spend It.

The Daily Telegraph

Latif al Ani's photograph of an American couple at Cestiphon, Iraq (1965), and the exhibition of his work in the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale features in the Daily Telegraph's Viewfinder.

Harper’s Bazaar Art Arabia

Ruya chairman Tamara Chalabi writes about art in Iraq, the theme of Invisible Beauty, and commissioning the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Paleett

Iraqi art magazine Paleett features the artists from Invisible Beauty, the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale as well the publication Traces of Survival: Drawings by Refugees in Iraq Selected by Ai Weiwei.

The Art Newspaper

In his preview of the 56th Venice Biennale, critic Gareth Harris writes about art that stems from horror and despair, and speaks to Ruya chairman Tamara Chalabi about art and conflict, and Pavilion of Iraq.

The Guardian

Culture writer Charlotte Higgins writes about artist Haider Jabbar's work at Pavilion of Iraq in her review of the 56th Venice Biennale.

Christie’s Magazine

Ruya Foundation chairman Tamara Chalabi talks to Christie's Magazine about art in Iraq, and Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Wall Street Journal

Mary M. Lane's preview of the 56th Venice Biennale and Okwui Enwezor's vision for the exhibition, also includes artist Latif al Ani's participation in the Pavilion of Iraq.

The Art Newspaper

"The rise of the terrorist group Islamic State (IS) and the Chilcot Inquiry, the British investigation into the 2003 invasion of Iraq, are among the subjects explored by the artists participating in the Iraqi Pavilion," writes Gareth Harris.

Canvas

Preview of the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

The National

David D'Arcy speaks to artist Salam Atta Sabri about his series, Letters from Baghdad, and to curator Philippe Van Cauteren about the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

New York Times

“When there’s so much else being destroyed, this is also one way of trying to preserve culture.” Farah Nayeri speaks to Ruya chairman Tamara Chalabi about the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale, in a front page feature for the New York Times, as well as the International New York Times edition.

Jane Arraf, The Guardian

Journalist Jane Arraf on the lives of artists in Baghdad, and Ruya Foundation's work to support them.

Harper’s Bazaar Art (UK)

Tamara Chalabi and Reem Shather-Kubba talk about Ruya and its current projects in the November 2015 issue of Harper's Bazaar Art.

BBC, Alastair Sooke

Art critic Alastair Sooke speaks to artists Akam Shex Hadi and Haider Jabbar about their work, life as an artist in Iraq and their participation at the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale. "It is heartening to hear that the courageous Iraqi artists exhibiting in Venice are still prepared to stand up for the forces of civilisation," he writes for the BBC.

ArtAsiaPacific

Critic and gallerist Jolaine Frizzell reviews the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Apollo

In her review of the 56th Venice Biennale for Apollo, critic Laura Gascoigne writes: "In the Iraq Pavilion, a roomful of works by Salam Atta Sabri ... restored my faith in the expressive power of drawing".

The Very Best of Venice, Apollo

Tom Jeffries picks the Pavilion of Iraq as one of the top five shows at the 56th Venice Biennale. He cites artist Rabab Ghazoul's It's a long way back (Chilcot Inquiry), 2015, as a highlight of the exhibition.

Apollo

Apollo selects the Pavilion of Iraq as one of the highlights of the 56th Venice Biennale in its preview of the exhibition and fair.

The Guardian

Rabab Ghazoul speaks to The Guardian about her plans for a three day arts festival around the Chilcot Inquiry, after taking part in the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

The Art Newspaper

The Art Newspaper discusses Ai Weiwei's work with refugees, including his collaboration with Ruya for Traces of Survival: Drawings by Refugees in Iraq Selected by Ai Weiwei, and an interview with Tamara Chalabi.

Nafas Art Magazine

An extract from Letter to Tamara Chalabi by Philippe Van Cauteren, first published in the Invisible Beauty exhibition catalogue (Ruya Foundation and Mousse Publishing).

Tariq Al Shaab

Interview with Ruya's chairwoman Tamara Chalabi about the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Diptyk

The Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale features Moroccan art magazine, Diptyk.

Artsy

The Pavilion of Iraq's exhibitions Invisible Beauty and Traces of Survival feature in Artsy.

Canvas

Pavilion artist Akam Shex Hadi features in the summer issue of Canvas among works by Bruce Naumann and Christoph Buchel, in a review of the 56th Venice Biennale.

Canvas

Interview with curator Philippe Van Cauteren about the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Monopol

Monopol features the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale, and Ruya Foundation's collaboration with Ai Weiwei in Traces of Survival: Drawings by Refugees in Iraq Selected by Ai Weiwei.

Il Manifesto

Il Manifesto interviews photographer Latif al Ani about his work, Baghdad in the 50s, 60s and 70s and his participation at the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Modern Weekly

In its review of the 56th Venice Biennale, the Hong Kong magazine Modern Weekly explores the role of conflict in the Pavilion of Iraq.

Handelsblatt

Handelsblatt features curator Philippe Van Cauteren and his work on the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

GQ

In a preview of the 56th Venice Biennale, GQ speaks to Ruya Foundation chairman Tamara Chalabi about the Pavilion of Iraq.

Il Manifesto

Il Manifesto, a daily Italian newspaper, writes about the role of photography, art and conflict in Invisible Beauty, the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

FAD

Crystal Bennes and Thomas Jefferies discuss Rabab Ghazoul's work and the Pavilion of Iraq in their review of the 56th Venice Biennale.

Exibart

The Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale features in Exibart.

CNN

Critic Colin Gleadell writes the Pavilion of Iraq, and the general concern with human rights and oppression at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Berliner Zeitung

The Pavilion of Iraq appears in a review of the 56th Venice Biennale.

BBC News

Pavilion artist Rabab Ghazoul features in this BBC News report on artists from Wales at the 56th Venice Biennale. Rabab was also interviewed by BBC Radio Wales about her work on the Chilcot Inquiry for the Pavilion of Iraq.

ArtNow Pakistan

ArtNow Pakistan features the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale, as well as the artists selected for the exhibition.

Mousse Magazine

Lovely photographs of the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale in Mousse Magazine, by Mathias Depardon.

La Razon

In a review of the 56th Venice Biennale, La Razon looks at the role of art and conflict in the Pavilion of Iraq.

Diari ARA

Catalunian daily paper Diari ARA reviews the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Die Welt

Curator Philippe Van Cauteren writes to Die Welt about his research in Iraq and his vision for the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Huffington Post

A review of the 56th Venice Biennale which also discusses the significance of art and conflict in the Pavilion of Iraq.

Der Spiegel

Feature on artist Haider Jabbar and his work for the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Le Monde

Photographer Latif al Ani's portrayal of Baghdad in the 50s and 60s, and his participation in Ruya's Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale features in Le Monde.

Al Mada

Al Mada features the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

ArtReview

ArtReview's feature on transnationalism in contemporary art also considers the role of the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th and 56th Venice Biennale.

Le Monde

Philippe Dagen explores the role of art and conflict in the Pavilions of Iraq and Armenia at the 56th Venice Biennale.

ArtReview

Online exclusive interview with Philippe Van Cauteren, curator of the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale. Van Cauteren speaks to ArtReview about his plans for Venice, and what it means to 'represent' a country at the Biennale.

Das Erst, ARD

Das Erst speaks to photographer Latif al Ani in a special report on the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Foundations in Venice, Financial Times

Gareth Harris speaks to Ruya Foundation co-founder Reem Shather-Kubba about the role of non-profit cultural organisations at the Venice Biennale, and the importance of visibility at the exhibition.

Afternyne

The arts and lifestyle magazine Afternyne featured Ruya's programme and artists for the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Afternyne

The arts and lifestyle magazine featured Ruya's collaboration with Ai Weiwei on a major publication, Traces of Survival: Drawings by Refugees in Iraq Selected by Ai Weiwei.

Artnet

Artnet speaks to Ruya chairman Tamara Chalabi about the Pavilion of Iraq and Ruya's activities in light of the "cultural cleansing" by the Islamic State in Nineveh and Nimrud.

Artnet

Ruya Foundation announces its plans and selected artists for the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

ArtNews

Ruya Foundation announces the theme of Invisible Beauty, and a collaboration with Ai Weiwei on a major publication, for the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Artinfo

Artinfo looks at the five artists selected for the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale, as well as Ruya's collaboration with Ai Weiwei on a major publication, Traces of Survival: Drawings by Refugees in Iraq Selected by Ai Weiwei.

BBC Radio Four Front Row

Broadcaster Kirsty Lang explores the contemporary arts scene in Iraq, and speaks to Ruya's chairman Tamara Chalabi and curator Philippe Van Cauteren.

The Art Newspaper

Ruya's comprehensive and unique database of artists living within and outside of Iraq features in The Art Newspaper as a research tool for curators and art professionals.

La Libre Belgique

La Libre Belgique speaks to Philippe Van Cauteren about his trip to Baghdad, organised by Ruya to curate the Pavilion of Iraq and to host a symposium on international contemporary art.

The Observer

Critic Laura Cummings lists Ruya's artist Jamal Penjweny's Iraq is Flying series as one of the 10 best artworks of 2014. She writes: "This photograph has stayed with me all year, growing ever more resonant".

Le Quotidien de L’Art

Critic Roxana Azimi previews the national pavilions for the upcoming 55th Venice Biennale. She speaks to Ruya chairman Tamara Chalabi about fundraising for the Pavilion of Iraq, and the importance of keeping the exhibition independent from governmental institutions.

The Sunday Times

Feature on commissioner Tamara Chalabi and curator Jonathan Watkins' trip through Iraq, where they met artists in their studios, and invited them to be part of the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

The Financial Times

Critic Gareth Harris writes about the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale, and the importance of making Iraqi artists a part of the national circuit.

The Guardian

Arts writer Charlotte Higgins looks at Iraqi biscuits and the challenges of commissioning the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Il Sole 24 Ore

A special report on Iraq and the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale, with an interview with Ruya's chairman, Tamara Chalabi (interview starts around 15mins in).

Monocle Radio

The Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale features in Monocle Radio.

Kunstforum

Kunstforum features the Pavilion of Iraq in its special issue on the 55th Venice Biennale.

Aswat Al Iraq

Report by Erfan Rashid on the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

BBC World

Arts editor Will Gompertz speaks to artist Jamal Penjweny in a report on the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale, for BBC World's Outlook programme. (Starts at 32 mins 50 s.)

Artinfo

Artinfo speaks to curator Jonathan Watkins about the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Brownbook

In its special issue, the Middle Eastern Guide to the 55th Venice Biennale, Brownbook showcases Pavilion of Iraq, and how the show recreates the ambiance of an Iraqi salon.

BBC News

Curator Jonathan Watkins talks about the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale to BBC News.

Reuters

Reuter's selects the Pavilion of Iraq as one of the highlights of the 55th Venice Biennale.

Al Alam

Report on the Pavilion of Iraq and the presence of Iraqi artists at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Al Mada

The Pavilion of Iraq, as well as the 11 artists who took part in the exhibition commissioned by Ruya Foundation, are featured in Al Mada.

Al Adib

Spotlight on the 11 Iraqi artists invited to take part in Ruya's Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Al Arabiya News

The 11 Iraqi artists who took part in the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale feature in Al Arabiya.

The National

David d'Arcy features artists Abdul Raheem Yassir and Basra-based collective WAMIs work at the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Qantara

In its special issue on Kurdistan, Qantara speaks to Jonathan Watkins about the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Canvas

In a feature on the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale, Canvas writes: "With the support of Ruya, the Pavilion promises to show a vibrant, yet honest view of the arts scene in one of the world's most war-torn countries".

Elephant

Elephant magazine interviews curator Jonathan Watkins about contemporary art in Iraq in light of the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s films the Pavilion of Iraq in its selection four highlights at the 55th Venice Biennale.

New York Times

“He made his living cutting hair in Baghdad, but art has always been his calling [...] he used to paint in the middle of the night to avoid the unnerving cacophony of sirens, horns and explosions.” The New York Times features Iraqi artist Bassim al Shaker, who took part in the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Artforum

Critic and editor Negar Azimi reviews the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale. She writes: "the work of the pavilion is probably a faithful reflection of contemporary art in Iraq".

Frieze Magazine

"It is impossible to imagine what kind of challenges artists face in Iraq today, but this exhibition reveals a great spirit of resilience, improvisation and humour,” writes Frieze magazine’s co-editor Jennifer Higgie, in her review of the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

Al Arabiya News

Report on Furat al Jamil's short animation film Baghdad Night, co-produced by Ruya Foundation.

Asharq Al-Aswat

Artist and filmmaker Furat al Jamil in her studio, working on Baghdad Night, a short animation film co-produced by Ruya.

Foreign Policy Magazine

Ruya chairman Tamara Chalabi and curator Jonathan Watkins are named global thinkers of the year by Foreign Policy for Welcome to Iraq, the Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale.

The Independent

Critic Zoe Pilger reviews Ruya's Welcome to Iraq exhibition at the South London Gallery, London.

The Londonist

The Londonist, an online guide for London, recommends Ruya's Welcome to Iraq exhibition at the South London Gallery, UK.

Time Out London

The global going out guide recommends Ruya's Welcome to Iraq exhibition at the South London Gallery, London.

BBC News

BBC News report on Ruya's Welcome to Iraq exhibition at the South London Gallery, London.

Artnews

In light of Jamal Penjweny's participation in Here and Elswhere, an exhibition of contemporary art from the Middle East at the New Museum, New York, Artnews looks at Ruya's Pavilion of Iraq at the 55th Venice Biennale as a catalyst for the emergence of art from Iraq in the international art scene.

Canvas

Ruya's chairman Tamara Chalabi looks at Iraqi art, from its ancient golden age to its uncertain future, in an op-ed for Canvas.

Vogue Daily

Vogue recommends Here and Elsewhere, a group show of contemporary art from the Middle East, which includes Ruya's artist Jamal Penjweny.

Artinfo

Ruya appointed Philippe Van Cauteren as curator of the Pavilion of Iraq at the 56th Venice Biennale.

Artforum

Ruya appointed Philippe Van Cauteren, artistic director of S.M.A.K, Gent, as curator of the Pavilion of Iraq for the 56th Venice Biennale.

The Economist

The Economist writes about Ruya artist Jamal Penjweny's work in Here and Elsewhere, a group exhibition of contemporary art from the Middle East at the New Museum, New York: "Mr Penjweny’s premise is that the memory of a dictator, whether good or bad, persists after his death. The exhibition too, leaves a lasting impression and confirms how art can create a historical record".

ArtReview

Announcement in ArtReview about Philippe Van Cauteren's appointment as curator of the Pavilion of Iraq for the 56th Venice Biennale.