WASHINGTON — "Colors of Kurdistan," an exhibit by two Kurdish artists in the heart of the America's capital, is showcasing art that raises awareness about Kurdish identity, history, culture and women’s rights.
The month-long exhibit at the Foundry Gallery, sponsored by the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) diplomatic office in Washington, is expected to draw hundreds of visitors.
"To serve my country, Kurdistan, I have chosen art now. I am proud to have introduced Kurdish culture through my art," said Ramzi Ghotbaldin, a Paris-based Kurdish artist whose work is being shown at the exhibit.
"Our aim is to tell the world that Kurdish artists are like the artists of the world. And we can eliminate the stereotype that portrays the Kurds as troublemakers, as (tied to) violence and war. There is certainly another beautiful, colorful face of the Kurds which is art," said Najat Abdulla, director of community and culture at the KRG’s diplomatic office in Washington.
Abdullah said he hoped to introduce foreigners to Kurdish identity via the exhibit.
"We want to make sure Kurdish culture and art is not excluded from the global arts scene,” he added. “Art is as important as politics and diplomacy in furthering national goals."
Ghotbaldin's pieces explore his bitter personal struggles under the former Iraqi regime, his eight years as a rebel fighter and his life in the Diaspora.
"Diaspora is a big part of my life and my paintings are representative of my own life in Europe and as a Peshmerga," he said.
Ghotbaldin maintained, "I don’t believe in Iraq. It’s enough. I believe in the liberation and independence of Kurdistan. We need to put our house in order."
He pointed to one of his paintings that shows a man walking with nothing on the horizon. "That man is us (the Kurds), who continue to walk without reaching a destination. We are tired, but I am very optimistic that we’ll reach our final destination," he said in reference to Kurdish independence.
"This is a great opportunity to introduce our art and culture to the world," said New York-based Sardar Kestay, a Kurdish painter originally from Dohuk.
Kestay's paintings show women in agony, reflecting the struggles of Kurdish women.
"My paintings are about Kurdish way of life and the rights of women," added Kestay, who was the chairman of Dohuk gallery before resettling in New York.
Lukman Ahmed, a Kurdish graphic designer and artist from Rojava, the Kurdish region in Syria, echoed the tone of his fellow artists about the impact of art to make other people aware of the beauty of Kurdish culture.
"People know about Kurdistan through war, but we actually have something else — we have a very rich culture and art,” Ahmed said.
“This is very important, especially at this time when the Peshmerga is fighting the Islamic State. This show is about peace, freedom and love. It’s an apolitical exhibit," he said.
For Ahmed, it’s important that people distinguish Kurdistan from countries in the region.
"I struggled with telling people who I am. I had to explain myself each time when I said I am from Syria, and then the next question: ‘Are you an Arab?’ I say, ‘No, I am a Kurd.’
“So it’s important to have these kind of exhibits, to emphasize the Kurdish identity and make others aware of it."
“Colors of Kurdistan” is showing at the Foundry Gallery in Washington through Sept. 28.
The month-long exhibit at the Foundry Gallery, sponsored by the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) diplomatic office in Washington, is expected to draw hundreds of visitors.
"To serve my country, Kurdistan, I have chosen art now. I am proud to have introduced Kurdish culture through my art," said Ramzi Ghotbaldin, a Paris-based Kurdish artist whose work is being shown at the exhibit.
"Our aim is to tell the world that Kurdish artists are like the artists of the world. And we can eliminate the stereotype that portrays the Kurds as troublemakers, as (tied to) violence and war. There is certainly another beautiful, colorful face of the Kurds which is art," said Najat Abdulla, director of community and culture at the KRG’s diplomatic office in Washington.
Abdullah said he hoped to introduce foreigners to Kurdish identity via the exhibit.
"We want to make sure Kurdish culture and art is not excluded from the global arts scene,” he added. “Art is as important as politics and diplomacy in furthering national goals."
Ghotbaldin's pieces explore his bitter personal struggles under the former Iraqi regime, his eight years as a rebel fighter and his life in the Diaspora.
"Diaspora is a big part of my life and my paintings are representative of my own life in Europe and as a Peshmerga," he said.
Ghotbaldin maintained, "I don’t believe in Iraq. It’s enough. I believe in the liberation and independence of Kurdistan. We need to put our house in order."
He pointed to one of his paintings that shows a man walking with nothing on the horizon. "That man is us (the Kurds), who continue to walk without reaching a destination. We are tired, but I am very optimistic that we’ll reach our final destination," he said in reference to Kurdish independence.
"This is a great opportunity to introduce our art and culture to the world," said New York-based Sardar Kestay, a Kurdish painter originally from Dohuk.
Kestay's paintings show women in agony, reflecting the struggles of Kurdish women.
"My paintings are about Kurdish way of life and the rights of women," added Kestay, who was the chairman of Dohuk gallery before resettling in New York.
Lukman Ahmed, a Kurdish graphic designer and artist from Rojava, the Kurdish region in Syria, echoed the tone of his fellow artists about the impact of art to make other people aware of the beauty of Kurdish culture.
"People know about Kurdistan through war, but we actually have something else — we have a very rich culture and art,” Ahmed said.
“This is very important, especially at this time when the Peshmerga is fighting the Islamic State. This show is about peace, freedom and love. It’s an apolitical exhibit," he said.
For Ahmed, it’s important that people distinguish Kurdistan from countries in the region.
"I struggled with telling people who I am. I had to explain myself each time when I said I am from Syria, and then the next question: ‘Are you an Arab?’ I say, ‘No, I am a Kurd.’
“So it’s important to have these kind of exhibits, to emphasize the Kurdish identity and make others aware of it."
“Colors of Kurdistan” is showing at the Foundry Gallery in Washington through Sept. 28.
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