Arab artists: Rasmi combines Iraqi and Italian influences in paintings

Iraqi fine artist Rasmi al-Khafaji was a wanted political activist in his home country when he fled to Italy in 1977. He still lives and works there, creating monochromatic pieces using oil as his medium of choice.

Iraqi artist Rasmi al-Khafaji

Born in Diwaniyah in 1945, Khafaji graduated from the painting department at Baghdad’s Institute of Fine Arts, and organized and participated in several exhibitions in the country before leaving for Italy.

In Florence, he undertook a Diploma in Fine Arts in painting. His art portrays the merging of Iraqi and Italian identities.

“The European fine art trends had an impact on my art career,” Khafaji says.

One of Khafaji’s significant creations is a Venus statuette, which he says represents his liberation from memories of Iraq. When the statuette was moved to the Napoli Museum, Khafaji became the first Arab artist to have work displayed at the prestigious institution.

“I work here and I think here,” Khafaji says of his experience in Italy. “I get nostalgic here too.”

To read more and view Rasmi al-Khafaji's art please follow the link:
http://enawafeth.alarabiya.net/content/immersed-italian-art-and-culture