First Kurdish and Iraqi artist selected for prestigious Artiade exhibition in Spain
Kurdish sculptor and multimedia artist Ahmad Nabaz has been invited to participate in the fourth edition of the international Artiade exhibition, becoming the first Kurdish and Iraqi artist selected for the prestigious event.
Often described as the “Art Olympics,” Artiade is held every four years and brings together a select group of artists chosen from thousands of applicants worldwide. The 2026 edition will take place in Valencia, Spain, in November.
Nabaz will represent Kurdistan with three video art works that explore themes of Kurdish identity, history, suffering, and hope. Through contemporary visual storytelling, he aims to share Kurdish experiences with a global audience.
“Art for me is not merely drawing paintings, but a language for telling those stories that words cannot express,” Nabaz said.
Known as one of the leading figures in contemporary Kurdish art, Nabaz works across multiple disciplines, including sculpture, painting, installation art, and video art. His work often addresses humanitarian issues and the cultural heritage of Kurdistan through innovative and modern artistic approaches.
His selection for Artiade is being celebrated as both a personal achievement and a milestone for Kurdish art. The invitation highlights the growing international recognition of Kurdish artists and provides a global platform for sharing Kurdish culture and creativity.
The event is expected to bring together artists from across the world, using art as a bridge between cultures and a platform for dialogue, identity, and human experience.