This publication marks the convening of my one-woman exhibition Boats and Burdens: Kites and Shattered Dreams, which is my fifteenth solo to date, the first after a long fifteen year break! My last was in 1995, just before I embarked on a life changing journey delving into the works of Iraq’s noteworthy artists; Strokes of Genius: Contemporary Iraqi Art, followed by the establishment of Aya Gallery which I co-founded in London with my husband the architect Ali Mousawi in 2002.
Having dedicated much of the past years promoting important others, I decided it was now due to focus on my own art, the outcome of which has been this exhibition. A culmination of three decades of sheer inspiration, creativity and intense artistic involvement Boats and Burdens: Kites and Shattered Dreams is a collection of paintings and ceramics, essentially being my response to the war on Iraq, her land and her people.
With this I am deeply indebted to the very special individuals: Dr Ulrike al-Khamis, HRH Dr Wijdan al-Hashemi, Sajid Rizvi and Rashad Selim for their thoughtful contributions to this catalogue, moreover their friendship, guidance and profound support throughout the years. For the same reasons and for inaugurating this exhibition I am intensely grateful to Dr Venetia Porter. I would also like to express sincere gratitude to Sadik Alfraji not only for the meticulous care and attention he has put into the design of this catalogue but also for his patience and understanding since his involvement with Strokes of Genius and throughout. Despite their exceedingly busy work schedules they have all given me their valuable time and expertise and I will forever be grateful.
For his insightful photography and patience I would like to thank Heini Schneebeli. And my friend and colleague the artist Laila Shawa for introducing Heini and for introducing Heini and for her moral support throughout. I am obliged to Paula Rodrigues for her advice about photography and visuals and I am sincerely grateful to Abeer Qubbaj for her valuable input with the Arabic translation. For his precious advice on detailed aspects of this exhibition and his sincere support in the lead up to the show I am deeply grateful to Nadhim Neilson.
I am beholden to my best friend Jana Hassan for listening to my endless stories on art, Iraqi art and more art, with keen interest, enthusiasm and never ending patience, despite my carrying on and on for over twenty years to date! My warmest appreciation to Nadje al-Ali and Noor Hussein for their valued friendship and support, indeed the wondrous Iraqi women to whom this work is dedicated and without who this exhibition would not have been.
I would like to take this opportunity to express special gratitude to my pottery teacher Elaine al-Sheikhly who since 1983 (when I first joined her class) has been for me sheer inspiration, a fountain of knowledge and a guiding light. I would also like to pay tribute to the late George Farkas for being the wonderful teacher he was and Allegra Mostyn-Owen for sparking off my ceramic project on Asma Allah al-Husna.
No words will ever do justice for Ali Mousawi, my husband, mentor and most astute critique; for putting up with my never ending artistic needs, from the day we met, over 35 years ago and every day since! It is only with his utter patience, love and understanding I have been able to progress and achieve. And to my loving children Amir, Athier and Aya for their continued support and for making me the very proud mother I am.
Last but not least, to my dear mother Fatima al-Khayatt for believing in me from the day I was born and for teaching me love, beauty, resilience and patience despite hardship and pain and to my dear father Ibrahim Faraj for whom this exhibition is in loving memory, my love and deepest appreciation. From my Baba I learnt the meaning of loyalty, commitment, respect, pride, modesty and profound faith. May he be blessed in ever lasting peace, knowing in my heart that he is watching over me with pride and joy Insha Allah. Because of them and the amazing people in my life, I am who I am and where I am today, wa ma tawfeeqi illa billah.
