Naziha Salim was an Iraqi artist, educator and author, described by the country's president,
Naziha Salim was an Iraqi artist, educator and author, described by the country's president,
Jalal Talabani, as "the first Iraqi woman who anchored the pillars of Iraqi contemporary art".
Jalal Talabani, as "the first Iraqi woman who anchored the pillars of Iraqi contemporary art".
Not a great deal of scholarly attention has been given to the cultural and artistic lives of female artists.
Not a great deal of scholarly attention has been given to the cultural and artistic lives of female artists.
In the case of Naziha Salim, her story has been eclipsed by that of her famous older brother, Jawad Salim.
In the case of Naziha Salim, her story has been eclipsed by that of her famous older brother, Jawad Salim.
Naziha Salim was born in 1927 in Istanbul to Iraqi parents, who were originally from Mosul.
Naziha Salim was born in 1927 in Istanbul to Iraqi parents, who were originally from Mosul.
At the time of her birth, her father was an officer in the Ottoman army, stationed in Turkey. The family returned to Baghdad in the 1920s, when Naziha was a small child.
At the time of her birth, her father was an officer in the Ottoman army, stationed in Turkey. The family returned to Baghdad in the 1920s, when Naziha was a small child.
She authored a history of modern Iraqi art, entitled, Iraq: Contemporary Art, published by Sartec in 1977,
She authored a history of modern Iraqi art, entitled, Iraq: Contemporary Art, published by Sartec in 1977,
which continues to be used as a valuable source for the early development of Iraq's modern art movement.
which continues to be used as a valuable source for the early development of Iraq's modern art movement.