Dia Azzawi

Born and raised in Iraq, Azzawi has lived in London since 1976, where he has successfully created his own identity in the discerning circles of the mainstream art world, despite choosing to express himself in a style that is essentially Arab. Azzawi graduated with a degree in archaeology from Baghdad University in 1962. While training to be an archaeologist, he realised that he actually wanted to spend the rest of his life painting, Azzawi went back to university to earn another degree, in Fine Arts in 1964.

 

Considered as one of the finest colourists among contemporary Iraqi artists, Azzawi's paintings echo the resplendent colours of his homeland. Unconcerned with the western penchant for sober pastels, the London-based Iraqi artist continues to make daring use of sizzling reds and bold purples in his paintings - rich colours that are, as per his own admission, very Arab, like him. "I may be British on paper, but in reality I'm an Arab. The colours I use are also Arab”, admits the artist candidly. Over the decades, Azzawi has built up an international reputation as a brilliant artist and his work has been exhibited extensively in Europe, the Middle East, the USA and India. His paintings occupy pride of place in prestigious places such as the British Museum in London, the Library of Congress in Washington DC, the Museums of Modem Art in Damascus,

next