A joint sculpture exhibition featuring 31 Kurdish and Arab artists was opened at the Galawezh Gallery in Sulaimaniyah, showcasing 35 works and aiming to promote and further develop the art of sculpture.
Kamaran Mahmoud, one of the participating artists, said the exhibition provides an opportunity for artists to present their abilities and experiences in sculpture.
“This exhibition is an important step towards introducing and developing the art of sculpture. With the participation of 31 Kurdish and Arab artists and the display of 35 works, a suitable opportunity has been created to showcase artists’ abilities and diverse experiences in this field,” Mahmoud said.
He said the exhibition also aims to give sculpture a stronger presence in galleries and artistic centres.
“The main goal of this kind of activity is for the art of sculpture to become better known and to find its deserved place in galleries and artistic centres,” Mahmoud said. “The participation of Kurdish and Arab artists in a single exhibition is an important opportunity for exchanging experiences and introducing different styles and ways of thinking in the art of sculpture.”
According to Mahmoud, stone and wood were the main materials used in the exhibited works, with artists using the materials to express different ideas and meanings.
He said sculpture combines materials, artistic skills, and creative ideas to communicate messages and feelings to viewers.
Mahmoud, who participated in the exhibition with one sculpture, said such events are important because they allow sculptors to present their works directly to the public and help audiences become more familiar with the art form.
He also noted that sculpture exhibitions are less frequent than exhibitions in some other artistic fields because producing sculptures requires technical skills, time, specialised materials, and patience.
“Producing a sculpture is often exhausting work and requires patience,” Mahmoud said.
He identified access to materials and tools as one of the main challenges facing sculptors, saying that not every artist can easily obtain the necessary supplies.
“This problem affects the number of sculptors and the holding of exhibitions specific to this field,” Mahmoud said.
