About Shawaka Gallery

Shawaka Gallery interior

Shawaka Gallery is an art gallery that represents modern and contemporary Iraqi artists locally, regionally, and internationally. Founded in 2024, the gallery aims to become a pioneering platform for established talent and emerging voices from the region.

Elevated Artistic Vision

  • Possessing the ability to define beauty and expressiveness is essential to grasp the essence of visual dialogue, encompassing both its intellectual and aesthetic dimensions. It helps distinguish visual narratives by geographical context and current intellectual trends, shaping a visual identity that differentiates one artwork from another and one artist from their peers.
  • Shawaka Gallery functions as an intellectual hub for the visual arts. Its mission is to deeply explore shifts in both local and global art scenes while seeking to understand the creative processes behind artists’ work.
  • The gallery aims to correct misconceptions that have grown over the past few decades about the nature of contemporary Iraqi visual art and its historical foundations. It underscores art history as a vital support for emerging artistic endeavors that reflect our present experiences and the multitude of factors shaping them—factors that did not determine earlier generations of artists.
Artist at Shawaka Gallery
Historic site in Iraq
  • Shawaka Gallery represents an effort to redefine Iraq’s traditional exhibition landscape, honoring artists by presenting their work in a way that elevates their contributions rather than diminishes them. This shift involves overcoming past misunderstandings and establishing contemporary definitions that resonate with today’s artistic events.
  • Put simply, the vision is forward-looking, envisioning Iraq’s future art landscape rather than merely looking back at its past. Shawaka Gallery seeks to build on the peak of Iraqi art production, ensuring that artists are showcased more prominently. The aim is to enhance the visibility and communication of their works, helping Iraqi artists achieve a stature that rivals or competes with pieces shown in international art venues.
Sculpture close-up