Dia Azzawi IRAQI, b. 1939
Works
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Images from a Trapped City I, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City II, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City III, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City IV, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City IX, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City V, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City VII, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City VIII, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City X, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City XI, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City XII, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City XIII, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City XIV, 2011
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Images from a Trapped City XV, 2011
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Silk Road V, 2008
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Improvisation, 2005
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Baghdadiat- Homage to Jawad Salim, 1989
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Baghdadiat- Homage to Jawad Salim, 1989
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Improvisation, 1984
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Homage to Baghdad, 1983
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Overview
One of Iraq’s most acclaimed artists, Dia al-Azzawi engages with the history and cultural heritage of his country in works across a broad range of media. The painter and sculptor incorporates calligraphic script, muted and sandy colors, and elements inspired by Iraq’s folklore and history into works like the etching _Improvisation_ (1984). The recipient of numerous awards including the Jury Prize at the 1992 International Cairo Biennial, Azzawi created the New Vision art group with Rafa Nasiri, Muhammad Muhyiddin, Ismail Fattah, Hashem al-Samarchi, and Saleh Al-Jumaie, to address contemporary issues in the Middle East. The plight of the Palestinians is a central theme in his work, as seen in his renowned mural _Sabra and Shatila_ (1982–1985) or a series of prints on fine art rag paper documenting life in Gaza after the 2008 incursion, which _Image No. 8_ (2011) is part of. He earned degrees in archaeology and Fine Art from the Baghdad University and the Institute of Fine Arts, Baghdad respectively. His works are in the collections of the British Museum and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art.