Biography
Of Iraqi parentage, born USA 1955. Achieved BSc Architecture, College of Architectural Engineering, Baghdad University, 1978; pursued a career in the arts thereafter: painting & ceramics. Living and working in London since 1982, over a period of 25 years, Faraj has contributed to more than fifty group exhibitions at local and international level, won numerous awards and held fifteen one-woman shows to date. Her artwork is in private collections world wide as well as important public collections including the British Museum London; the National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington USA; the Wereldmueum, Rotterdam; the United Nations, Geneva and numerous art institutions throughout the Middle East. |  |
Selected group exhibitions2008- Iraq's Past Speaks to the Present, British Museum, London - Word into Art, DIFC, Dubai/ British Museum2006 - Occupied Space: Art for Palestine, 27 Cork Street, London 2004- Seed, Body & Soul: Artists against Depleted Uranium, London; - Transitions, ayagallery, London |  Al-Ba'ith 'The Resurrecter' Asma Allah al-Husna Earthstone 43x33x9cm 2008 |
| 2003 - Cities of Iraq: Samarra to Baghdad (Islamic Culture in Focus), British Museum, London - Symbols of Harmony: Contemporary Art from the Islamic World, Kent County Council, Maidstone, Kent, UK - Expressions of Hope: Iraqi Art, ayagallery, London - Diversity in Harmony, Centre for Arab American Studies, University of Michigan, Dearborn, USA - Before. After. Now: Visions of Iraq, Deluxe Gallery, London 2002 - Islamic World Painting Biennial, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Iran - Calligraphy, Beit al-Quran, Manama, Bahrain - Masterstrokes, October Gallery, London, UK 2001 - Contemporary Arab Art, Wereldmuseum, Rotterdam, Netherlands |  Firyal Kites and Shattered Dreams Oil on canvas 45x35cm 2008 |
| 2000-3 - Strokes of Genius: Contemporary Iraqi Art, Tour UK: Brunei Gallery, London; Exeter University, Exeter; Hotbath Galleries, Bath and USA: Grinnell College, Iowa; DePaul University, Chicago (Iraqi Art Today, Looking Out: Looking In). 2000 - Arab Cultures: Young Worlds, British Museum, London 1999 - Artists for Human Rights, Durban, South Africa - Dialogue of the Present, tour: England: London; Brighton; Brunell 1998 - 20th Anniversary: Egee Art, Soni Gallery, London 1997 - Homage to Jewad Selim, Kufa Gallery, London - Art in Hammersmith, Riverside Studios, London - Contemporary Women's Art, Museum of Mankind, London - Breaking Down the Boundaries, Pits Hanger Gallery, London 1996 - Eastern & Icelandic Art: William Morris Centenary, Wimbledon Library, London - Visions of East & West, Sayde Interiors, London - Contemporary Arab Art, Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, London 1995 - Arabian Eyes, Bait al-Sirkal, Ministry of Culture & Information, Sharja1997 1994 - Forces of Change, International Council for Women in the Arts and the National Museum for Women in the Arts, Tour: USA: Washington; Chicago; California - Culture & Continuity, Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham |  Salamun Aleika Ink on card (to be cast in bronze) 220x45cm 2008 |
| 1993 - Iraqi Art Festival, Gallery 4, London - Roots, Imperial College, London 1992 - Out of Iraq, Camden Lock Market, London - Arab Womens' Art Festival, Kufa Gallery, London - Summer Art Show, Howard Gallery, London - Iraqi Womens' Art, Kufa Gallery, London - Portobello Festival, Argile Gallery, London - Contemporary Collections, Artizana Gallery, Manchester 1988-91 - Group Shows, Argile Gallery, London |  Laheeb Kites and Shattered Dreams Oil on canvas 110x110cm 2008 |
| 1988 - Baghdad International Biennial, Saddam Art Centre, Baghdad - Autumn Exhibition, Al-Orfeli Gallery, Baghdad - International Women's Week, Sao Paulo, Brazil - Arab Women Artists, Kufa Gallery, London - Arab Art & Calligraphy, Egee Art Consultancy, London - Society of Women Artists 126th Annual, Westminster Central Hall, London 1986 - Contemporary Arab Art, Mall Galleries, Arab States League, London |  Pots for Peace I Earthstone, glaze and gold 25x25(d)cm 2008 |
| Selected Solo Exhibitions 2009 Boats and Burdens: Kites and Shattered Dreams, ayagallery, London 1995 Once Upon a Culture, SOAS (School of Oriental & African Studies) London 1994 Oriental Delight, Trocadero Centre, London 1992 Sisters in Harmony, London 1990 Ya Rab, Rochan Gallery, London - Faith, Argile Gallery, London 1989 Home Sweet Home, Artists Studio, Baghdad 1987 Nostalgia, Artists Studio, London 1985 Vibrations from my Past, Espace 2000, Paris |  Firdaws Kites and Shattered Dreams Oil on canvas 45x35cm 2008 |
1995 Highly Commended Daler & Rowney, London 1983 First Prize, Ministry of Education, Baghdad 1973-8 First Prize, Architectural Department, Baghdad University 1973-5 Honourable Mention, Institute of Fine Arts, Baghdad 1970 First Prize, Iraqi History Museum Awards 1995 Highly Commended Daler & Rowney, London 1983 First Prize, Ministry of Education, Baghdad 1973-8 First Prize, Architectural Department, Baghdad University 1973-5 Honourable Mention, Institute of Fine Arts, Baghdad 1970 First Prize, Iraqi History Museum |  Munajat II Earthstone, glaze and gold 14x39(d)cm 2008 |
| Selected Public Collections - British Museum, London, UK - National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington, USA - Rotterdam Werldmuseum, Rotterdam, The Netherlands - Royal National Museum, Amman, Jordan - United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland - University of Michagan-Dearborn, USA - Jeddeh International Airport, Saudi Arabia - The House of Commons, London, UKSelected Public Collections - British Museum, London, UK - National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington, USA - Rotterdam Werldmuseum, Rotterdam, The Netherlands - Royal National Museum, Amman, Jordan - United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland - University of Michagan-Dearborn, USA - Jeddeh International Airport, Saudi Arabia - The House of Commons, London, UK |  Munajat I Earthstone, glaze and gold 11x46(d)cm 2008 |
Selected Private CollectionsThroughout the UK, Europe, the MiddleEast and the USA as well as in important private collections including HRH Prince of Wales and the late Sir Wilfred Thesiger.Press & MediaExtensive coverage through international news networks including Channel 4, BBC World, CNN, PBS, BBC World Service, Bloomsberg, local TV stations such as Rotterdam TV and prominent Arab News Networks including the MBC, Dubae and Sharja Channels as well as main Arab press & media including Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Al-Hayat, Majallat al-Majjaleh, Al-Distour, Bayan, Hawadith, Alif Ba', Al-Arab, Al-Ahram, Al-Wasat, Al-Afak Arabia, Al-Sayad, Al-Khaleej, Gulf News, Baghdad Observer, Sayidaty, Al-Shorouk, Kul Al Usrah and many others in addition to numerous websites.Memberships- Crafts Potters Association- London Potters - Women's Art Library - National Artists Association - Artist Newsletter - Society of Fulham Artists - Society of Iraqi Artists in Britain - EU-MAN (European Union for Migrant Artists Network), Helsinki, Finland |  Al-Razzaq 'The Ever Providing' Asma Allah al-Husna Earthstone and velvet 55x18cm 2008 |
© maysaloun faraj 2009
No part of this website may be reprinted, reproduced or utilised in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording or in any information storage or retrieval system or otherwise, without previous written permission by the copyright holder.