Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project

Iraqi artists Fatin Al-Jumaily and Ghalib Al-Mansoori spent two weeks in Minneapolis this August, talking with Twin Cities residents about their art and their country. Through their art and their presentations, both brought words of peace, a message of the continuing humanitarian suffering in Iraq, and pleas for Americans to support the rebuilding of their country.

"Iraqi Women," by Faten Al-Jumaily

Their art was featured in the exhibit, “The Art of Conflict: American and Iraqi Art in Dialogue,” hosted by the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project. The exhibit brought approximately 15 pieces by Iraqi artists and 15 pieces by American artists together to reflect on and converse about the effects of violent conflict, war and displacement, particularly on Iraqis, veterans, and everyone involved in the Iraq War.

Because of delays in receiving their visas, Al-Jumaily and Al-Mansoori were not able to make it to the U.S. in time for the opening reception. Instead, they presented on their art at a “featured artists” night (see gallery below) and in many other formal and informal contexts.

Two of Ghalib Al-Mansoori's paintings at "The Art of Conflict" exhibit

In her review of the show, Minnesota Public Radio’s Marianne Combs wrote about Al-Jumaily’s piece, “Iraqi Women” (pictured above), “at first glance (it) appears to be an assemblage of colorful dots and lines. During a panel discussion she revealed that for her, the dots represent women, and the lines, fencing. It is only where the women are clustered densely together -supporting one another – that they can break through the binds that oppress them.”

Besides presenting on their art at the gallery, the two visited studios of local artists, toured the city, and spent significant time with their host families, who generously opened their homes to Fatin and Ghalib. They went to Iftar dinners, shared their stories with AmeriCorps volunteers working with refugees, talked candidly with U.S. veterans, and interacted with Twin Cities residents in many other contexts.

The Art of Conflict Featured Artists Evening

Reflecting the focus of The Art of Conflict, both Al-Jumaily and Al-Mansoori consistently talked about the continuing effects of the Iraq War (such as the lack of electricity in Iraq – both reported having electricity for about 1 hour a day). Both urged Americans to provide more support to Iraq and Iraqis in rebuilding their country. Curator Tricia Khutoretsky said about the exhibit, “I was expecting a broader range of artwork about conflict in general, but people were very focused on the Iraq war. I thought most people would be numb to it by now, but the work we got was very charged and very specific. The artists weren’t all necessarily involved directly in the war, but as Americans they wanted to say something about it” (Marianne Combs, “Iraqis and Americans“)

For a review of the show, The Art of Conflict, by Minnesota Public Radio’s Marianne Combs, click here.