Ahmed Albahrani (; born 1967) is an Iraqi painter and sculptor. He is one of the most famous Iraqi artists now living between Sweden and Qatar, known for his public large-scale artworks."Ahmed Albahrani," [Biographical Notes], Gary Nader Gallery, Online:
Life Ahmed Albahrani was born in 1965, in Tuarej on the Euphrates River, near Babylon.There is some confusion surrounding his place of birth. Some secondary sources, such as Bahrani, Z. and Shabout, N.M., Modernism and Iraq, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery and Columbia University, 2009, p. 92 state that he was born in Babylon, while other sources claim that he was born in Karbala; however in an interview, the sculptor explicitly stated that he was born in a small village, called Tuarej, near Babylon. See: "The Iraqi sculptor Ahmad Al-Bahrani told Asharq Al-Awsat: I am part of Qatari culture and am proud," [Interview - translated from Arabic], Al Sharq, 2 April 2016, He recalls that, as a child, he would withdraw from the games played by other boys in order to model clay on the riverbank. According to him, he was taken to see several of Iraq's ancient monuments on school trips, and his reaction was different to other students."The Iraqi sculptor Ahmad Al-Bahrani told Asharq Al-Awsat: I am part of Qatari culture and am proud," [Interview - translated from Arabic], Al Sharq, 2 April 2016,
He studied sculpture at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad and graduated from with a Diploma of Sculpture in 1988,Bahrani, Z. and Shabout, N.M., Modernism and Iraq, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery and Columbia University, 2009, p. 92 where he was influenced by many professors, notably Abdul Rahim Al Wakil.Ayoub, D., "His latest works return to "Calila and Damna" Ahmed Bahrani: Arab sculptor restricted creativity," Emaratalyoum, [Dubai], 1 February 2012, Online:
He has participated in several exhibitions, Inside and Outside Iraq, Sculpture in Iraq and Yemen as well as his participation in several exhibitions in Qatar, Beirut and the UAE. His sculpture is on public display in several cities.Alkahaki News, (translated from Arabic)"Exhibition - Ahmed Bahrani at "Art Basel Gallery" Miami version sculpts terrorists and in his hand to save life from misunderstanding" (translated from Arabic), Annahar [newspaper], Online:
He taught at the Baghdad Institute of Fine Arts between 1992 and 1994.
In mid-career, he decided to move away from the endless pursuit of abstraction and began producing figurative works. However, more recently he has returned to abstract sculpture.
In 1994, he left Iraq for political reasons, and lived in Amman, Jordan for a number of years and later resided in Yemen. Since 1999, he has divided his time between Doha in Qatar and Stockholm in Sweden."The Iraqi sculptor Ahmad Al-Bahrani told Asharq Al-Awsat: I am part of Qatari culture and am proud," [Interview - translated from Arabic], Al Sharq, 2 April 2016, Nangiana, U., "Talking Sculptures," Gulf Times, 13 March, 2016, [http://www.gulf-times.com/story/484374/Talking-sculptures Online:
Work Albahrani's work comprises large scale sculptures of political, religious and popular figures, often carrying various type of armaments."Ahmed Albahrani," Wall Street Journal Magazine, 27 December 2013, Online: Like many of his contemporaries who are living in exile,The Ministry of Culture has estimated that more than 80 percent of all Iraqi artists are now living in exile; See: Art AsiaPacific Almanac, Volume 4, Art AsiaPacific, 2009, p. 75 Albahrani uses his work to express the sense that he is "estranged from his geographical foundation and his roots."Nangiana, U., "Talking Sculptures," Gulf Times, 13 March 2016, Online:
The sculptor has designed a collection of statues, monuments and murals in Baghdad and cities of the world. His most notable works include:
Green Art – Dubai. Bisan Hall – Sponsored by the French Cultural Center – Qatar. Al Bada Hall – National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage – Qatar. Al Fardan Gardens, sponsored by Alfardan Group – Qatar. House of the French Ambassador – Qatar. French Cultural Center – Sana'a. Al Afif Hall – Sana'a. The Challenge, bronze installation for the 24th Men's Handball World Championship, Lusail Multipurpose Hall, Doha, Qatar, 2015."The 2017 World Handball Championship is designed and manufactured by Ahmad Bahrani," Reyada News, 27 January 2017 Online: Gulf Cooperation Council Cup. Olympic Rings, Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar. Bayfront Park, Miami, Florida, Nine sculptures including Charlie Chaplin, Mother Teresa and Michael Jackson, 2014. Monument of Abu Tahsin al-Salhi."Government of Basra commissioned the sculptor Ahmad Bahrani to erect a monument commemorating (Ain Falcon)," Almirbad, 18 October 2017, Online: Cube: A Message of Peace, 1.5m bronze, Hamad International Airport, Doha.Doha Hammad Airport, Online: La Ferrari, bronze sculpture of the Ferrari motor vehicle, Lobby of St. Regis, Doha, 2016.Barker, M., "The Right Profile," Ferrari Magazine, 20 October 2016 Online: The Challenge large scale bronze sculpture at Doha Lusail Hall, Qatar, 2015. "LUSAIL HANDBALL INSTALLATIONS" Online:
See also
Iraqi art List of Iraqi artists
References