"From the Euphrates to the Mississippi: Art from Nasiriyah, Iraq"
2006-02-23 until 2006-03-24
ArTrujillo Multicultural Art Studios and Gallery
Minneapolis, MN, USA United States of America

ArTrujillo Gallery proudly presents a selection of work by contemporary painters from The Fine Arts Gallery of Nasiriyah. The principal city of southern Iraq and capital of the province of Dhi Qar., Nasiriyah is located on the banks of the Euphrates River, near the ruins of the ancient city of Ur.  It is a cultural center famous for its art, including the community of painters whose work is presented here - for the first time in the USA.

These masterful paintings reveal a land of contrasts previously unknown to most of us in America. Images of lush green Mesopotamian marshes encounter arid visions of the dry desert sands. Colorful celebrations of traditional fellahin village life hang near stark twisted figures invoking the hardships of dictatorship and war.  Western-influenced abstractions are balanced with beautiful calligraphic passages from the Qur‚an. This artwork demonstrates a deeply felt pride in the past, a powerful dignity in the present, and a confident look ahead.

In this exhibit, a dozen different artists from Nasiriyah are represented. Their artwork was brought to Minneapolis by one of their own ˆ Haider Al-Amery, also a painter, who has been a Twin Cities resident since fleeing the wrath of Sadaam Hussein in the aftermath of the Gulf War. "These are very talented painters, highly respected in Iraq", says Al-Amery. "Now, with the economy devastated, they sometimes barely have money for materials. This exhibit is to share the beauty of their art. But it is also a chance for us to show support for the artists by buying their work at very reasonable prices."

The public opening for „From the Euphrates to the Mississippi‰ will be held Friday, February 24th. 2006 from 5pm until 11pm. Food, refreshments, music and dancers will add to the festivities which are open to all.  This very special exhibit will run from February 24th. until March 24th. 2006

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for the State of Minnesota

Other Important Exhibitions in United States

Call for Artists : 13th Annual Subtle Technologies Festival Explores Sustainability - Subtle Technologies, University of Toronto Art in Mind : Work by Natalia O'Neill - Brick Lane Gallery The Ione Citrin Collection - Poway Center for the Performing Arts Gallery Parallel Realities : Aishan Yu's First Solo Show in the UK - Peifen Fine Art Secrets and Confessions : Peter Sudar, John Stark, Leonard Vartic, Ioan Cristea - Ana Cristea Gallery Call for Artists : The Beast In Me, Johnny Cash - Art Influenced by the Struggle of a Man' - Nave Gallery Notations - Bruce Nauman: Days and Giorni - Philadelphia Museum of Art Beauitful Elsewhere : Fusion and Con-fusion - Migrating Cultures and the Dynamic of Exchange - Universita di Napoli - Partenope Animal Nature : Powerful Paintings, Drawings and Digital Prints by Hyacinthe Kuller-Baron - Computer Arts Gallery