Sadik Alfraji (Iraq)

Alfraji addresses the “problem of existence” in his work by depicting solitary figures in profile against stark backgrounds. The artist sees this as a means of expressing his own sense of cultural alienation and displacement from his native Iraq.. Alfraji was named Artist of the Year at the Esquire Middle East Awards ceremony in 2012.

Born 1960 in Baghdad, Sadik Alfraji lives and works in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Solo shows include Ayyam Gallery London (2013); Ayyam Gallery DIFC, Dubai (2011); Ayyam Gallery Damascus (2011); Stads Gallery, Amersfoort, Netherlands (2010); Station Museum, Houston (2008-9); Stedelijk Museum, Den Bosch (2007-8). Selected group exhibitions include ikono On Air Festival, online and broadcasted (2013); Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (2012); Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, Qatar (2010-11); CBKU & Centeaal Museum, New Salon, Utrecht (2008). His work is housed in numerous private and public collections including The National Museum of Modern Art, Baghdad; The Art Center, Baghdad; Royal Association of Fine Arts Amman; Shoman Foundation Amman; French Cultural Center, Amman; Novosibirsk State Art Museum, Russia; and the Cluj-Napoca Art Museum, Romania.