To dedicate one's life to art is a struggle even in the
most stable society. There are inherent barriers that
weed out those who aren't serious. Those who remain
are truly passionate and dedicated to an artistic and
creative life. But, in times of upheaval, extreme chaos
and war, even the most dedicated artist can be stifled by
the immediate concerns of his or her life. Those who
continue to produce despite the horror that surrounds
them can truly be called an Artist
Unfortunately, artists are the first group to be
abandoned in times of trouble. Art is seen as a luxury
when starvation, misery and murder are the norm. A
fundamental tenet of our organization is that art and
artists are not a luxury, but are in fact the foundation of
society. Art is essential to the survival of culture. It is the
very medium of culture. If culture is the foundation of
society, then how important the artist?
The role of artists becomes even more critical during
times of social upheaval. Unfortunately, support for the
arts disappears in these periods, and artists are
marginalized. Iraqi Art strives to move the artist from
the margins to the center, to shine a light into the
shadows, to give voice to those who have been muted.
This is why we are here.
