Nida Kadhim (born 1937 Iraq) is an Iraqi sculptor, noted for producing a number of monumental works for Baghdad's city centre, some of which are still standing, while others were demolished or looted following the 2003 Iraqi invasion.
Nida Kadhim's life and career was marked by the revolutions and wars that beset Iraq in the second half of the 20th century. Kadhim received his formal art education at Baghdad's Academy of Fine Arts in the 1950s. Actively involved in the Iraqi arts community, he became a founding member of the art group known as Al-Mujadidin (The Innovationists) formed by Salim al-Dabbagh, and whose members included Salim al-Dabbagh, Salman Abbas, Amer al-Obaidi, Saleh al-Jumai'e, Faik Husein and Talib Makki.[1] The group held its first exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art where members all exhibited works.[2]
Like many artists who belonged to influential art groups, Kadhim found work at Iraq's Ministry of Culture. However, when Saddam Hussein's Baath Party regime assumed power in 1968, Kadhim began to feel that he was being left out. As a Communist, who refused to join the Ba'athists, he felt himself under intense pressure to "reform". In 1976, he was expelled from his job at the Ministry of Culture.[3]
In 1976, he left Iraq and travelled to Rome, where he enrolled at the Accademia di Belle Arti. In Italy, he lived a bohemian and carefree lifestyle, and managed to support himself by selling sketches or bartering them in exchange for food and clothing.[4]
In 1983, he returned to Iraq in 1983 only to see his 24-year-old brother, a recent graduate of film school in Paris, arrested and executed for evading Army conscription during the Iraq–Iran War. In the following years, he witnessed first hand how Saddam Hussein's regime controlled art in all its forms.[5]
In 2003, he was again witness to horrific violence on his people and their culture. In an interview with a media outlet, he explained that the US military entered the empty streets, broke the doors and windows of historic sites, and this would be followed by seemingly organized groups of people who would burn and destroy what was in the museums.[6]
Workedit
His sculptures focus on grandiose busts and statues of leading figures taken from Iraq's history, or are based on other themes the artist considers worthy. A series of statues depicting eight Iraqi physicians from the Abbasid era that once stood in local hospitals were destroyed during the looting that followed the 2003 invasion. He is currently working on the restoration of Baghdad's statues.[7]
His most well-known sculpture, which is still standing, is the Arab Woman in Zawra Park, Baghdad.[8] It depicts an Arab woman holding a bouquet of flowers out to the new generation of Iraqis who are seeking a better future.[9]
^Sharifian, S., Mohammadzade, M., Naef, S. and Mehraeen, M., "Cultural Continuity in Modern Iraqi Painting between 1950 and 1980," Bagh-e-Nazar, [The Scientific Journal of NAZAR Research Center (Nrc) for Art, Architecture & Urbanism], vol. 14, no.47, 2017, pp 43–52 (published in English and Persian); Dabrowska, K. and Hann, G., Iraq Then and Now: A Guide to the Country and Its People, Bradt Travel Guides, 2008, p. 269
^Salīm, N., Iraq: Contemporary Art, Vol. 1, Sartec, 1977, p. 173; Inati, S.C. (ed.), Iraq: Its History, People, and Politics, Humanity Books, 2003, p. 84
^Dagher, S., "Sculptor at work in war-torn Iraq," Christian Science Monitor, 14 August 2007
^Dagher, S., "Sculptor at work in war-torn Iraq," Christian Science Monitor, 14 August 2007
^David Clark Scott, "Reporters on the Job," Christian Science Monitor, 14 August 2007 Online:
^Al Jazeera, Documentary. Cited in Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq, 14 April 2003, Online:
^Dagher, S., "Sculptor at work in war-torn Iraq," Christian Science Monitor, 14 August 2007, Online:
^Al-ʻĀmmah lil-Siyāḥah, M., Iraq: A Tourist Guide, State Organization for Tourism, General Establishment for Travel and Tourism Services, 1982, p. 80
^State Organization for Tourism General Establishment For Travel and Tourism Services, Iraq: Guía Turística, State Organization for Tourism General Establishment for Travel and Tourist Services (Iraq), 1982, p. 80 (translated from Spanish)
January 01, 1970
nida, kadhim, born, 1937, iraq, iraqi, sculptor, noted, producing, number, monumental, works, baghdad, city, centre, some, which, still, standing, while, others, were, demolished, looted, following, 2003, iraqi, invasion, born1937iraqnationalityiraqieducationb. Nida Kadhim born 1937 Iraq is an Iraqi sculptor noted for producing a number of monumental works for Baghdad s city centre some of which are still standing while others were demolished or looted following the 2003 Iraqi invasion Nida KadhimBorn1937IraqNationalityIraqiEducationBaghdad Institute of Fine Arts Accademia di Belle Arti Rome Known forSculpture Contents 1 Life and career 2 Work 3 See also 4 ReferencesLife and career editNida Kadhim s life and career was marked by the revolutions and wars that beset Iraq in the second half of the 20th century Kadhim received his formal art education at Baghdad s Academy of Fine Arts in the 1950s Actively involved in the Iraqi arts community he became a founding member of the art group known as Al Mujadidin The Innovationists formed by Salim al Dabbagh and whose members included Salim al Dabbagh Salman Abbas Amer al Obaidi Saleh al Jumai e Faik Husein and Talib Makki 1 The group held its first exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art where members all exhibited works 2 Like many artists who belonged to influential art groups Kadhim found work at Iraq s Ministry of Culture However when Saddam Hussein s Baath Party regime assumed power in 1968 Kadhim began to feel that he was being left out As a Communist who refused to join the Ba athists he felt himself under intense pressure to reform In 1976 he was expelled from his job at the Ministry of Culture 3 In 1976 he left Iraq and travelled to Rome where he enrolled at the Accademia di Belle Arti In Italy he lived a bohemian and carefree lifestyle and managed to support himself by selling sketches or bartering them in exchange for food and clothing 4 In 1983 he returned to Iraq in 1983 only to see his 24 year old brother a recent graduate of film school in Paris arrested and executed for evading Army conscription during the Iraq Iran War In the following years he witnessed first hand how Saddam Hussein s regime controlled art in all its forms 5 In 2003 he was again witness to horrific violence on his people and their culture In an interview with a media outlet he explained that the US military entered the empty streets broke the doors and windows of historic sites and this would be followed by seemingly organized groups of people who would burn and destroy what was in the museums 6 Work editHis sculptures focus on grandiose busts and statues of leading figures taken from Iraq s history or are based on other themes the artist considers worthy A series of statues depicting eight Iraqi physicians from the Abbasid era that once stood in local hospitals were destroyed during the looting that followed the 2003 invasion He is currently working on the restoration of Baghdad s statues 7 His most well known sculpture which is still standing is the Arab Woman in Zawra Park Baghdad 8 It depicts an Arab woman holding a bouquet of flowers out to the new generation of Iraqis who are seeking a better future 9 See also editIraqi art List of Iraqi artistsReferences edit Sharifian S Mohammadzade M Naef S and Mehraeen M Cultural Continuity in Modern Iraqi Painting between 1950 and 1980 Bagh e Nazar The Scientific Journal of NAZAR Research Center Nrc for Art Architecture amp Urbanism vol 14 no 47 2017 pp 43 52 published in English and Persian Dabrowska K and Hann G Iraq Then and Now A Guide to the Country and Its People Bradt Travel Guides 2008 p 269 Salim N Iraq Contemporary Art Vol 1 Sartec 1977 p 173 Inati S C ed Iraq Its History People and Politics Humanity Books 2003 p 84 Dagher S Sculptor at work in war torn Iraq Christian Science Monitor 14 August 2007 Dagher S Sculptor at work in war torn Iraq Christian Science Monitor 14 August 2007 David Clark Scott Reporters on the Job Christian Science Monitor 14 August 2007 Online Al Jazeera Documentary Cited in Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq 14 April 2003 Online Dagher S Sculptor at work in war torn Iraq Christian Science Monitor 14 August 2007 Online Al ʻAmmah lil Siyaḥah M Iraq A Tourist Guide State Organization for Tourism General Establishment for Travel and Tourism Services 1982 p 80 State Organization for Tourism General Establishment For Travel and Tourism Services Iraq Guia Turistica State Organization for Tourism General Establishment for Travel and Tourist Services Iraq 1982 p 80 translated from Spanish Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nida Kadhim amp oldid 1080164331, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
