Baghdad Modern Art Group's Legacy Explored at NYU Abu Dhabi
The NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Art Gallery will unveil 'All Manner of Experiments: Legacies of the Baghdad Modern Art Group' on February 12, with the exhibition continuing until June 7. Curated by Nada Shabout, this showcase explores the development of a modern visual language by Iraqi artists in Baghdad amid nation-building and decolonization efforts. Established in 1951 by Jewad Selim and Shakir Hassan Al Said, the group challenged conventional views of Islamic art, incorporating elements of abstraction, calligraphy, figuration, and influences from ancient civilizations. The exhibition features a diverse array of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and archival materials, highlighting 36 artists like Dia al-Azzawi, Suad al-Attar, and Hanaa Malallah. Originally organized by CCS Bard, it receives support from several foundations and includes a series of public talks and academic events.
Key facts
- Exhibition opens February 12 at NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery
- Runs through June 7, 2025
- Curated by Nada Shabout
- Baghdad Modern Art Group founded in 1951 by Jewad Selim and Shakir Hassan Al Said
- Features 36 artists including Dia al-Azzawi, Suad al-Attar, Hanaa Malallah
- Includes painting, sculpture, works on paper, and archival materials
- Originally organized by Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College
- Supported by Barjeel Art Foundation, Dalloul Art Foundation, Farjam Foundation, Ibrahimi Collection
Entities
Artists
- Jewad Selim
- Shakir Hassan Al Said
- Nada Shabout
- Maya Allison
- Faraj Abbo
- Sadik Kwaish Alfraji
- Himat Mohammad Ali
- Rasoul Alwan
- Suad al-Attar
- Qahtan Awni
- Dia al-Azzawi
- Bogus Bablanian
- Amar Dawod
- Ghassan Ghaib
- Faiq (Faeq) Hassan
- Mohammed Ghani Hikmat
- Jabra Ibrahim Jabra
- Rand Abdul Jabbar
- Fouad Jihad
- Saadi Al Kaabi
- Ardash Kakafian
- Salma Khoury
- Hanaa Malallah
- Mahmoud Obaidi
- Widad al-Orfali
- Khalid al-Rahal
- Kareem Risan
- Miran al-Saadi
- Mahmoud Sabri
- Naziha Salim
- Nazar (Nizar) Salim
- Delair Shaker
- Lorna Selim
- Walid Siti
- Ismail Fattah (al-Turk)
- Madiha Umar
- Khalil al-Ward
- Nazar Yahya
- Tiffany Floyd
- Lauren Cornell
Institutions
- NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery
- NYU Abu Dhabi
- al Mawrid Arab Center for the Study of Art
- Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College
- CCS Bard
- Hessel Museum of Art
- Barjeel Art Foundation
- Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation
- Farjam Foundation
- Ibrahimi Collection
- Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
- E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation
Locations
- Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates
- Baghdad
- Iraq
- Sharjah
- Beirut
- Lebanon
- Dubai
- Amman
- Jordan