KARIM KHALIL

Born in Baghdad March 13, 1960.
Graduated from the Fine Art Academy in 1987.
Drafted as an army officer during the Iran-Iraq war, he was stationed at the frontline in the middle of the southern marshes in Iraq.
He was labeled by certain critics as the Rodin of Iraq. He began his path sculpting local stone and marble His nude sketches are as powerful as his sculptures.
War had a significant impact on his pre invasion work.
After the invasion of Iraq in 2003 he devoted himself to exposing the atrocities and crimes committed by the occupation forces. His most famous sculpture is one depicting an « Abu Ghraib » prisoner with a sac covering his head.
he started painting with acrylic alongside painted clay sculptures.
Later he diverted his attention to the post occupation regime and its influence on a new Iraqi society.
Criticizing the state of decadence in all aspects.
His latest creation exposing the widespread transgender phenomenon linking it to the decay in society yet simultaneously an apparent admiration for his subjects.