Analyzing abstract paintings in contemporary Iraqi art

Abstract art is considered one of the most important movements in contemporary art. This thesis primarily investigates the recent developments in Iraqi abstract painting, and comprises four chapters. Chapter one mentions the research problem, research aim and method. Chapter two provides a theoretical background to the topic, by addressing the definitions of abstraction, and also the philosophical and historical perspectives, most important features as well as the most famous artists of the abstract movement. Iraqi abstract art in terms of history and its pioneers is introduced in this chapter as well. The last section is dedicated to the review of previous studies. Chapter three is the core of the thesis, and deals with a detailed description and analysis of 20 Iraqi abstract paintings as a selected sample for the research, using a systematic analytical tool. At the end of it, the results of the analysis are discussed. Chapter four presents the conclusion based on the analysis. The main conclusions could be summarized as follows: the Iraqi artists became acquainted with the style of the abstract art movement through the influence of Western artists; despite the international style, the Iraqi artists were able to establish an Iraqi identity in most of the paintings; expressions of wars, tragedies and sadness were represented in most of the works of Iraqi artists; these Iraqi paintings are characterized by deconstruction, dispersal and reconstruction using a clear abstraction.