Shakir Hassan Al Said
Encyclopedia
Shakir Hassan Al Said (1925–2004), an Iraqi painter
, sculptor
and writer, is considered one of Iraq's most innovative and influential artists. Born in Samawa, Al Said lived, worked and died in Bagdad. He received in 1948 a degree in social science from the Higher Institute of Teachers in Baghdad and in 1954 a diploma in painting from the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad where he was taught by Jawad Saleem
. He continued his studies at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts
in Paris until 1959, where he was taught by Raymond Legueult. During his stay in Paris, he discovered Western modern art in galleries and Sumer
ian art at the Louvre
. After his return to Baghdad in 1959, Al Said studied the work of Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti
, sufism
and Mansur Al-Hallaj
. He gradually abandoned figurative expressions and centered his compositions on Arabic calligraphy.
He co-founded in 1951 with Jawad Saleem
Jama'et Baghdad lil Fann al-Hadith (Baghdad Modern Art Group), one of the most unique arts movements in the Middle East in the post–World War II, that aimed to achieve an artistic approach both modern and embracing of tradition. This specific approach was called Istilham al-turath (Seeking inspiration from tradition), considered as "the basic point of departure, to achieve through modern styles, a cultural vision". He headed the group after the death of Saleem in 1961.
In 1971, he founded Al Bu'd al Wahad (the One-dimension Group)", which promoted the modern calligraphic school in Arab art.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, sculptor
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
and writer, is considered one of Iraq's most innovative and influential artists. Born in Samawa, Al Said lived, worked and died in Bagdad. He received in 1948 a degree in social science from the Higher Institute of Teachers in Baghdad and in 1954 a diploma in painting from the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad where he was taught by Jawad Saleem
Jawad Saleem
Jawad Saleem was an Iraqi sculptor born in Ankara in 1920. He studied sculpture in Paris , Rome and London . After he returned to Iraq, he was appointed head of the Sculpture Dept. at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad, a position he retained until his death in 1961...
. He continued his studies at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts
École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts
The École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-arts is the distinguished National School of Fine Arts in Paris, France.The École des Beaux-arts is made up of a vast complex of buildings located at 14 rue Bonaparte, between the quai Malaquais and the rue Bonaparte, in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Près,...
in Paris until 1959, where he was taught by Raymond Legueult. During his stay in Paris, he discovered Western modern art in galleries and Sumer
Sumer
Sumer was a civilization and historical region in southern Mesopotamia, modern Iraq during the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age....
ian art at the Louvre
Louvre
The Musée du Louvre – in English, the Louvre Museum or simply the Louvre – is one of the world's largest museums, the most visited art museum in the world and a historic monument. A central landmark of Paris, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement...
. After his return to Baghdad in 1959, Al Said studied the work of Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti
Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti
Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti was a 13th-century Arab Islamic artist. Al-Wasiti was born in Wasit واسط southern Iraq. He was noted for his illustrations of the Maqam of al-Hariri.-References:*Yaḥyā ibn Maḥmūd al-Wāsiṭī. . In Encyclopædia Britannica...
, sufism
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
and Mansur Al-Hallaj
Mansur Al-Hallaj
Mansur al-Hallaj was a Persian mystic, revolutionary writer and pious teacher of Sufism most famous for his poetry, accusation of heresy and for his execution at the orders of the Abbasid Caliph Al-Muqtadir after a long, drawn-out investigation.-Early life:Al-Hallaj was born around 858 in Fars...
. He gradually abandoned figurative expressions and centered his compositions on Arabic calligraphy.
He co-founded in 1951 with Jawad Saleem
Jawad Saleem
Jawad Saleem was an Iraqi sculptor born in Ankara in 1920. He studied sculpture in Paris , Rome and London . After he returned to Iraq, he was appointed head of the Sculpture Dept. at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad, a position he retained until his death in 1961...
Jama'et Baghdad lil Fann al-Hadith (Baghdad Modern Art Group), one of the most unique arts movements in the Middle East in the post–World War II, that aimed to achieve an artistic approach both modern and embracing of tradition. This specific approach was called Istilham al-turath (Seeking inspiration from tradition), considered as "the basic point of departure, to achieve through modern styles, a cultural vision". He headed the group after the death of Saleem in 1961.
In 1971, he founded Al Bu'd al Wahad (the One-dimension Group)", which promoted the modern calligraphic school in Arab art.