Photo By Sgt. Rodney Foliente | First Lt. Jacqueline Wood,147th Adjutant General Company postal platoon leader,...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Sgt. Rodney Foliente
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
CAMP ECHO, Iraq – An art show featuring works by Iraqi artists was held at Camp Echo, Dec. 6. The show provided opportunities for Soldiers and contractors to learn about local culture, purchase gifts and help support the local artisans, and plans are in place to continue showcasing local art and crafts.
Soldiers could be seen stopping, staring at the art. One portrait of an old woman captured a passer-by; he was arrested by the soulful eyes staring back at him. Admitting he doesn't know why, and has little knowledge of art, he liked the portrait.
In an offhand way, he remarked to his peers that even though the subject wore traditional Iraqi garb, she could easily have been a person back home in the states; an old woman, a strong woman.
Others gazed at paintings and rugs, learning more about Iraq's culture and history. They discussed and ask questions among each other and to the Iraqis present. Even those that don't know much about art found they could understand something of its universal language.
"It's good to see that they put together something showcasing some quality stuff that supports a good cause," said Warrant Officer Todd Griego, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division projects officer.
More than half of the approximately 30 paintings displayed were sold, and another five were commissioned. Close to 20 rugs and bags were also sold, most of which were hand-crafted with locally gathered and dyed wool.
Some Soldiers bought things for themselves; others purchased Christmas presents for Family back home. Some just came to see a different perspective of the people within the land they now inhabit.
"I think it's a nice opportunity to get to see some of the culture," said 1st Lt. Jacqueline Wood,147th Adjutant General Company postal platoon leader, attached to 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "It gets the local population involved with the Soldiers. We're all living around here, and it bridges the gap between the Soldiers and the local population.
"A lot of the things I see common between artwork here and that I've seen before, are everyday life themes: relationships between the young and the old and the little things in everyday life."
She said the paintings tell her a lot about the people in them, and the artist who painted them.
"Visual art is a common language for everyone. Everybody can identify with a photograph or painting. The use of certain colors represents different feelings. Different gestures people make that are represented in an image can convey a message too," said Wood, who studied art in college and comes from a family of artists.
"Being around the artwork here helps me feel more at home and closer to the environment that I am used to. It inspires me to get into some art projects of my own," said Wood.
She spoke to an Iraqi artist, and said she was glad for the opportunity to ask questions about the scenes of daily life and the historical paintings displayed. She found herself relating with many of the paintings and purchased four.
The artist, Haider Abed Ali, also showed Wood pictures of other paintings that inspire him, explaining more of the rich history of the region.
He spoke to other Soldiers about his early life in art, work that began for him as a child. Inspired by a neighborhood artist, he started by drawing with pencil follwing a borrowed library book of Picasso.
Haider's studies later focused on the works of a famous Iraqi painter, Faeq Hassan, and other Iraqi artists, especially those that focused on Iraqi culture and everyday depictions. He attended the university in Baghdad and now teaches art to high school students, though eventually he would like to teach at the college level.
Haider said the teaching conditions are not yet ideal, but he is hopeful for the future as the security and economy of the country progress. He said he remains optimistic for the future of Iraq because people have hope and more open minds than before.
"I believe that sharing my art with the Americans, helps build relationships between Iraqis and Americans and make more trust between the two peoples. I believe the friendship between us will strengthen and continue to get better," said Haider.
He said he would like to study art in America one day, like most of his Iraqi art teachers.
"My wish since I was in middle school was to go to America to study art. It is my biggest dream," said Haider.
If his dream came true, he said he would then return to Iraq to teach a fusion of what he learned here and in America to his students, the future artists of Iraq.
"Art is about courage to try and to continue to be better," Haider said. "If God wills it, I will accomplish my dream."
| Date Taken: | 12.06.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2008 10:00 |
| Story ID: | 27525 |
| Location: | DIWANIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 350 |
| Downloads: | 313 |
This work, Art show shares Iraqi culture with Americans, by SGT Rodney Foliente, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT