One of Qasim Sabti's collages
Pieces salvaged from the Iraqi Academy of Fine Arts are going on exhibit in New York this month in a rare U.S. exhibit of Iraqi artists. Ashes to Art: The Iraqi Phoenix reflects the turbulence in the nation since the March 2003 bombing of Baghdad.
The flames referred to in the title were the reality of those closest to the attack, and nearly all the works include a charred element, said Peter Hastings Falk, curator of the show at SoHo's Pomegranate Gallery, running Jan. 19 to Feb. 22.
Artist Qasim Sabti collected the charred remains of library books from his alma mater, the Academy, and used the books to make collages. Hana Malallah, the only woman in the 10 artists represented, painted The Looting of the Museum of Art on wood that burned.
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