Dia al-Azzawi is an Iraqi artist known for both his paintings and sculpture which incorporate traditional elements of Arabic calligraphy, scenes from Iraq’s history, and Babylonian symbols. Born in 1939 in Baghdad, Iraq, he went on to study archaeology at the College of Arts and later under Hafidh al-Droubi at the Institute of Fine Arts. Melding his interest in ancient history with European styles of painting, Al-Azzawi created unique works that strove to encompass a wide array of themes. In the years that followed, the artist’s life was put in turmoil by the political upheaval of his country and the rise of Saddam Hussein.

In 1976, Al-Azzawi fled Iraq for London, where he studied printmaking and began producing work in open response to the conflicts plaguing his homeland. He continues to live and work in London, United Kingdom. Today, the artist’s works are held in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in Baghdad, the Tate Modern in London, and the Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha, among others.

Works by Dia al-Azzawi made in collaboration with Factum Arte were on show at:

• Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 2022