When will the world finally realize that the hair and faces of women, when covered and rendered anonymous, is nothing but vandalized art?
5
President George Bush has claimed he was told by God to invade Iraq. Life would have been much better if he didn't listen to those voices in his head.
10
Thank you for showing the beauty of these creative and talented artists. when art is allowed to flourish, that is when you know a society moves towards freedom of expression. More power to them. I hope the pen and the paint brush will always be mightier than the sword.
10
I will share this article with my annual - Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here poetry reading. I first started organising the annual exhibit (of book art) and poetry reading at the Iraqi Cultural Centre in London (always on the anniversary of the bombing of Al-Mutanabbi Street - March 5) but now I do it in my home town in the mountains of Colorado. I have been on a mission since my return to the US to show that Iraq is not "...all wars and fighting". I am very excited about the art that is being created in Baghdad and the strength of the people who are standing up and speaking through creativity . Bravo - we are with you.
11
I’m a high school art teacher and am excited to share this article with my students. Thank you so much for his reporting.
16
Throughout the Middle East there are many signs of hope, creativity and civility.... We can see these with our own eyes if we try. Thank you to NYT for these articles which provide real human expressions of survival within a challenging world.
18
Bearing witness to these beautiful signs of life is such a gift of hope! Thank you, thank you, nytimes!
12
The return of the arts to any society marks the death of an authoritarian rule and the blooming of freedoms. It’s worth noting our current president has no use or interest in the arts and has abdicated his role as president to advocate for the arts in America.
20
Very interesting. Could have used a lot more photos. Including of the painting that's described in such detail in the opening.
17
Thank you for a change from portraying the Arab world as a hopeless mess of terrorists, corrupt leadership, and religious fanaticism. There is a lot of heart, rich cultural history, talent, resilience, and hope under the rubble, and it deserves to be celebrated, and supported. MOMA, how about a show in NYC?
27
Artists will out, give us more, give us the music, give us their voices and American street artists give us a counterpart censuring our national liar since the Senate cannot.
And give the brave Iraqis an international web site.
Art will overcome, Insha Allah.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Citizen US SE
12
As everywhere, street art is powerful with the true voice of the people. Iraq has suffered enough...especially from the continuing occupation of America and our routine installation and support of despotic governments. Enough! We should really be helping these people...infrastructure, schools and education. We at least owe them a new start, one that we can all be proud of along with their fantastic art and artists.
30
It’s Baghdad after all, art and culture run in their blood. It has been suppressed but these people are aware that their history is no less colourful and charming than that of Florence or Paris.
40
The art is beautiful, and I hope the people find this a great healing tool.
23
San Juan, PR has similar art work.
8
These people are so amazing. It is inspiring. I saw before and after photos of the interior of the Turkish Restaurant; the protestors cleaned it up and renovated it. Artists, musicians, writers, they always blossom, no matter what, no matter where.
38
Someone please point us to the music. WE need to here that.
16
Iraq has such a vibrant history, and I’m happy to read an article about Iraqis’ talents and hopes for the future.
40
I find it especially amazing that the motives - and many artists- are women.
26
I have a difficult time reading about Iraq without feeling outrage and anger at Bush, Cheney, Rumy, Powell, et.al. Where is the justice in letting these war-mongers and war criminals get away scot-free? They are enjoying retirement and pulling in loot on the lecture circuit. Meanwhile, decades later, the suffering in Iraq is raw as ever and continues.
Where is the accountability - not to mention retribution? Where is the justice for the tens of thousands murdered and maimed, a country broken, its people impoverished and diminished. And for what - a manufactured, fabricated, and monstrous lie . . .
70
@PS Because people don't care, PS. Because the rich and powerful do get off scot-free. There is no justice. Haven't you noticed? The world is a terribly unjust place.
20
And what about all those American soldiers who fought, many dying, so that Iraq could have a chance to have a democracy- or at least not be dominated by Islamic State or Iranian tyranny? Nice that there's all this uplifting art. Hopefully it will inspire Iraqis to at last prevail against the legions of fascists on all sides and establish a government where artists and all people of good will can live freely and in peace. America has given them an opportunity. This is neither colonizing, nor war crime. Let's hope Iraq's is not squandered.
5
@Registur Trademark
A lot of people died during that illegal invasion, hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. And, that invasion wasn't about IS or Iran. Both the rise of IS, and the significant Iranian influence in Iraq are a direct consequence of it. There will need to a lot more commitment to Iraq, for the Iraqi people to live in peace and prosperity.
Since WW2 the American lead invasion of Iraq in 2003 has been the worst strategic mistake by any major power. The cost in lives, money is staggering given the population of Iraq, and the geo-political ramifications in the region are going to play out for years.
16
Please write more article like this. This is inspiring. Iraq has seen some hard time. Art can help bring back the best of them.
47
Good story, but not a surprise to me.
There was a lot of good art for sale in Iraq back in the 00's.
Realist, impressionist, abstract. Some political back then.
I bought some, wish I'd bought more.
24