Baqer Al Shaikh - Artist Bio

An artwork by Iraqi artist Baqer Al-Shaikh

An artwork by Iraqi artist Baqer Al-Shaikh

In a Few Words

Born In: Baghdad, Iraq

Lives In: Gällivare, Sweden

Background: A figurative painter and portraitist with highly textured paintings.

Style: Notable throughout his work, Baqer is keen on using past light and dark brushstrokes to create the feeling of mystique and somber.

Themes: Exhibiting or blurring the fine lines between the corporal and metaphysical states of darkness. 

In a Few More Words

Although Baqer is a figurative painter, seldomly is a face seen within his work, enhancing the feeling of mystique and darkness.

From 1992 to 1996 Baqer studied at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad and received a diploma; he later received his Bachelor of Arts in Drawing in 2008. He is a member of several artist associations, including Artist in Norrbotten - KIN in northern Sweden. Al-Shaikh is also the recipient of several awards, including the Al-Wasti Festival of Baghdad Award, and the 2008 Ashtar Festival Award of the Iraqi Artists Association. Baqer Al-Shaikh also holds nominations from global art sites, and numerous honorary awards.

Baqer has exhibited his works through group exhibitions in Lebanon, Iraq & Saudi Arabia, as well as solo exhibitions in Jordan & Lebanon. He currently lives and works from Gällivare, Sweden on a full time basis.

 Key Exhibitions

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

Art Workshop (Symposium), Beirut, Lebanon (2010)
Solo exhibition, Dar Al-Anda Art Gallery, Amman (2012) 

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

Contemporary Iraqi Art, UNESCO Hall, Beirut, Lebanon (2010)