Shanadar Gallery has been running art symposiums since 2013, but this year is the first time they are hosting global artists at the First International Painting Symposium.
They have invited artists from Kurdistan, Syria, Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, and Russia, among others, the gallery’s Hawkar Rskn told Rudaw on Tuesday, opening day of the three-day event.
Critics will give feedback and select the best work created by the artists at a ceremony on Thursday.
"I think for the artists, it is very important to exchange experience of their work,” said Rskn.
They plan to hold a second international event over Newroz, introducing global artists to Kurdistan’s nature.
“It's important for us," Rskn said of sharing art with the public. He hopes to continue this tradition annually.
Hero Shekhe from Iranian Kurdistan has been painting for 10 years and focuses on expressionist art.
"It's a combination of artists of different countries, with different views," Shekhe told Rudaw English. "It's definitely important for us to exchange our experience and our views through these types of events."
Ahmed Sam, an artist and teacher for 12 years at the Institute for Fine Arts also took part in the event. He prefers to focus on comics but also enjoys painting caricatures and in the realism style.
"This event is very important for artists everywhere," Sam said. "I think Erbil artists don't have a chance to show their art. Communication between different artists is important."
"People can express themselves and communicate through art," he added. “I would like to see more of these kind of symposiums throughout the Kurdistan Region and Iraq."
"Art is the greatest language in the world."
