Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project

Below is a story of a volunteer who has connected with an Iraqi Artist, Anwar Qamar.

From Iraq to Minnesota: Connecting through Art

Barb with painting purchased from Anwar Qamar, artist in Iraq

Barb is a Minnesotan who recently heard Sami Rasouli, Director of MPT, speak about life in Iraq and the continuing consequences of war. After Sami’s talk, Barb wrote, “We were all devastated, and called to action, and also inspired by the potential that we people can reach across to each other and simply create peace.” Barb bought a painting by Iraqi artist Anwar Qamar that Sami had brought with him. She emailed Anwar and, with some help in getting the email to Anwar from IARP’s partner in Iraq the Muslim Peacemaker Teams, talked with Anwar via their computers. Anwar showed Barb other pieces of his work and asked her to speak slowly so he could catch the English. More »

The Departure - Esam Saheb

Call for Artist Submissions
The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project is seeking artists to submit their work for a juried visual arts group show, The Art of Conflict: Identity in Conflict and Displacement, opening in August 2010 at a gallery space in Minneapolis, MN. The exhibition will feature 12-15 works from local Twin Cities artists, and 12-15 works from Iraqi artists. To read guidelines and submit work, click here.

The exhibition aims to explore the themes of violent conflict, war, displacement, and personal identity by combining perspectives from those living within a violent conflict (Iraqi artists) and those who have “escaped” from such conflict (local refugee, immigrant, and veteran artists). In Minnesota, life amid violent conflict – in Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Honduras, Burma, or elsewhere – is difficult for many to imagine. Yet many Minnesotans, including refugees and veterans, have experienced directly war or violent conflict and live with that experience everyday. More »

The delegation from Najaf to Minneapolis headed home to Iraq on October 2nd after a productive 2 weeks. The delegates met with hundreds of Americans and set a strong foundation for further connections and peace-building activities between the two cities and countries. You can read about their visit here and here. Below are photos from the delegates’ visit.

One of the delegates, Dr. Najim Askouri, writes,”Thank you very much for your hospitality towards us during our visit to Minneapolis. We spent beautiful days to be remembered for a long time. We hope that the sister city relationship will be promoted and fulfilled for the benefits of people and the cause of peace. God bless you all.

St. Paul, MN—July 4th, 2009—A new art shop displaying Iraqi, international, and U.S. veteran art opens on July 4th on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. The Wolves Head will open with an exhibition featuring art by Iraqi citizens and local international students. The show is also supported by a local non-profit organization, the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP).

Chukouma, the owner of the new shop, says, “Some art works exhibited in the store are from Iraqis and some from international students at a local school… The art will show the international talents of the students and hopefully people will come due to curiosity of what the art is about.” The Wolves Head is located at 1665 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul and is open from 2:00pm to 6:00pm this Saturday, July 4th. Its hours are 10:00am to10:00pm on Sunday and 10:00am to 7:00pm during the week, and the show will be open until July 25th.

The Iraqi paintings will be available for sale. The proceeds transferred to the artists are then shared with their sponsoring organization in Iraq, the Muslim Peacemaker Teams. On Sunday evening at 7:00pm there will be an informal, free jazz concert by local guitarist Rick Figucroa. Visitors to the Wolves Head may also sign up for future art classes such as jewelry making, bead weaving, quilting, a men’s sewing circle, and other fiber arts.

IARP Art Director Jessie Witte says, “The show will be a unique combination of artists in the community getting together.”

The Iraqi Art Project, a program of IARP, helps bridge American communities with Iraqi artists to enhance cultural exchange between the two peoples. It promotes a deeper understanding among Americans about the Iraqi culture, people and land through the transformative power of art.

For more information please contact:

Luke Wilcox, IARP Communications Director, at:

lukewilcox@mpt-iraq.org

IARP’s website: http://reconciliationproject.org

I recently came across a great photo essay on the enduring suffering of Iraqis: SUFFERANCE: Iraqi Victims of War (some images graphic). Below are two images from the essay.

More »

These Iraqi music artists were recommended to me by a Lebanese friend… If anyone has other suggestions of Iraqi artists they like, please let me know!

UPDATE: LNyousif at From Baghdad to New York recommended Naseer Shama. I love it! LNyousif also recommended the great Ismail al-Farwache (who lost his leg in the 1991 Gulf War) and collected the Photos of Iraq below with a few different Iraqi music pieces. Thanks!

Naseer Shama:

Ismail al-Farwache:

Iraq in Photos:

Kazem al-Saher:
Haitham Yousif:
Hatem al-Iraqi:

On May 6th, Iraq War veteran and United Theological Seminary student Luke Leonard will hold a public discussion about the situation in the Middle East. The forum is in conjunction with the ongoing show Art of War: Artists in Dialogue, currently on display at UTS. See flyer below for more information.

This looks like a fantastic show about the interconnectedness of the world. It’s open until July 5th, Tuesday-Sunday 12-6pm or by appointment. Location is the Blair Arcade Building (lower level) at the corner of Selby and Western, St. Paul, MN. If you can go, go!

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LIVING IN LIGHT April 24 – July 5, 2009 Opening Friday, April 24 ● 6 pm – 9 pm Wine and hors d’oeuvres Paintings by Kelli Bickman, Photog raphy by Connie Bickman, and Mixed-media by Iraqi War Kids Relief Everyday we are reminded of our how our lives intersect with others at home, at work and in our communities. This show brings to light how that interconnectedness extends around the world by encouraging us to bring home the playfulness of the Buddha and other deities, share the stories of women from around the world, and enter into the lives of children in war-torn Iraq. Come see yourself in the lives of others and then, like these artists, envision the role you play in making this a better world. Watch for the many special events during this extended 10-week show! To preview the current show, click here. After the opening, come visit us: Tues – Sun 12-6 or by appointment Salir a la Luz is located in St. Paul in the Blair Arcade Building (lower level) at the corner of Selby and Western (map). Or visit us on the web at: www.saliralaluz.com Handicapped accessible. Please call for information (651.340.1957). Additional parking across=2 0Selby courtesy of the St. Paul Urban League. Top: K. Bickman, Christ Buddha, 5′ x 7 ‘ Middle: War Kids Relief, Doll #17, 11 x 14 Bottom: C. Bickman, Aboriginal Dance, 11 x 14

Main Gallery Kelli Bickman is a multi-media artist who has traveled the world extensively and been fortunate to study with several spiritual masters, including the Dalai Lama and Geshe Micheal Roach. In 2007 she ventured to India and spent several months living in a Tibetian Buddhist Nunnery studying tangka paintings and temple art. Come see the influence of these experiences in the “Images of Enlightenment” paintings on exhibit at Salir a la Luz. Special events to follow. Left: Naga Om, 34 x 22

Minnesota Gallery Children’s Gallery We are pleased to carry over the popular exhibit by award-winning photojournalist Connie Bickman. With photos and stories from around the world, Connie let’s us enter into the lives of others to better see our own. Watch for coming events where Connie will share her own story and life-changing experiences! Above: Golden Offering, 11 x 14 The children’s art exhibit is from the War Kids Relief (WKR) program. WKR connects American and Iraqi youth through a program centered on a pen-pal and art exchange. Come learn how they empower children to become Youth Ambassadors for their countries, leading towards a more peaceful understanding between nations. Special events include mini-Youth Ambassador workshops and A Soldier’s March for Peace!

165 western avenue, suite 10 • saint paul, mn 55102 • www.saliralaluz.com • info@saliralaluz.com

Minneapolis artist Heba Amin was recently featured in a Star Tribune article about her work illustrating a book on female Muslim heroes (some of her illustrations are above). Amin says, “I’m very aware of cultural stereotypes. The image of Muslim women in the United States is of veiled, oppressed people who have no voice. But in fact, Muslim women have a long history of remarkable achievements.” A little-known but very true fact.

The book, “Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World,” was awarded a National Best Books 2008 Award and a Moonbeam Peacemaker Award. More info on the book can be found here.

On a (kind of) related note, EngageMN.com recently published an article on Muslim feminism and Muslim women in Minnesota: “For Muslim Women in Minnesota, Complex Identities”.