Arab artists: Ihsan al-Khatib’s art is a combination of culture and academia

Iraqi artist Ihsan al-Khatib has a rich academic background in arts and has participated in over 90 exhibitions, locally and internationally.

“My fame emanated from my lifetime passion with art spanning more than four decades,” he said.

Born in the capital Baghdad in 1949, al-Khatib graduated from the city’s school of Fine Arts before spending an extensive period of time in the United Arab Emirate of Sharjah where he molded his own techniques and styles which he would pass on to young aspiring artists.

Iraqi artist Ihsan al-Khatib

Al-Khatib then travelled to New Zealand where he graduated with a master degree in fine arts in the Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland in 2003.
He continued his education at the school and received a postgraduate diploma in fine arts in 2011.

His travels around Iraq proved inspirational to the artist.

“I still recall the outbound trips to Basra by trains moving at the speed of foot - dragging turtles as they arrived at al-Ahwar. The images of peasant women carrying milk cream and hot bread are still alive in my memory,” he said.

The artist believes the canvas is an integral part of him.

“When I am in the thick of painting, I don’t feel disturbed. Once it is completed, I feel I have fully returned to normality.”

To read more and view Ihsan al-Khatib’s art please follow the link:
http://enawafeth.alarabiya.net/content/white-mark-he-leaves-paintings-window-hope