You see the lack of encouragement and the scarcity of exhibitions as a major obstacle
Marwa Al-Hayek: Iraq will remain the country of art ... despite marginalization and "intruders"
Marwa El-Hayk confirmed that the artist was able to touch Arab reality. Archives
The Iraqi plastic artist, Marwa El-Hayek, believes that the plastic movement in the Arab world is undergoing important and qualitative leaps, but this does not apply to her homeland, Iraq, in which the plastic movement is moving very slowly.
She attributed this to a shortcoming, which she described as "intentional", to curtail the plastic arts in Iraq, in addition to the increase in the numbers of what she described as "intruders" on art from several sections.
Al-Hayek added, "This has led to a dearth of art exhibitions held in Iraq, and the absence of the encouragement required for the artist, in order to provide more creativity."
She indicated that the occupation, wars, siege and marginalization that dominate artistic forums are all factors that made the Iraqi plastic artist need to know the reality of the plastic art movement in the world, in addition to his need to hold external exhibitions of his works so that the world can see the plastic creations of Iraqi artists, something that may be the opportunity. The artistry that Iraqi artists are looking for to launch into the global space.
And she considered that «there are Iraqi artworks, if they are exhibited in international art forums, they will receive international prizes.
Regarding the problems facing Arab plastic artists, El-Hayek mentioned that “the absence of moral and material support is one of the most important obstacles that hinder the march of Arab artists,” noting that there are difficulties in the artist marketing his plastic work, especially that the process of publishing, displaying and promoting artworks is a matter. It requires many expenditures that exceed the capabilities of many artists.
She explained that "the Arab artist has become isolated in his country, unable to participate in any Arab or international artistic forum," noting that the neglect of the arts in Iraq has caused a serious setback for the Iraqi plastic artist, who now finds no one to appreciate his art.
But she stressed that despite the war, neglect and marginalization, and all the obstacles that hinder the realization of the aspirations of Iraqi plastic artists, Iraq was and will remain the country of art and culture, and that Iraqi plastic artists enrich the Arab plastic scene with timeless artistic creations, following the path of those who preceded them among the pioneers of Iraqi plastic art.
On her vision of the position of women in the Arab plastic scene, she added that “the artist, with her distinguished artistic tools, searched and delved into the inner parts of the Arab human being and the challenges he is going through, and was able to touch the Arab reality with her artistic production of more paintings and statues than the artist in the male community, because women are The most close to and touching with the reality of our societies, being the mother, daughter, sister and wife. And she considered that, of course, this made the status of Arab artists appear in artistic forums on an equal footing with men, and even surpassed him in many cases.
It is noteworthy that the Iraqi plastic artist, Marwa El-Hayek, had studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, and held eight personal art exhibitions, in addition to about 15 participants in art exhibitions and forums in Mosul, Erbil, Baghdad and Hilla, as well as dozens of participants in joint art exhibitions in the Arab world and foreign countries.
Each has its mark
Regarding her acceptance of the existence of female and male art in the plastic arts, Marwa El-Hayek said: “The artistic work does not know naturalization, and every artist has his imprint that identifies the recipient as a unique artist, and every artist has his creativity that defines his school and artistic abilities.”
"There are Iraqi works of art. If they are shown in international forums, they will win international prizes."