Dia Al-Azzawi - 'The World is a Small Village' | Artist Interview | TateShots

Dia Al-Azzawi is one of Iraq's most influential living artists. Having moved to the UK in 1976, Al-Azzawi found that by viewing Iraq from afar, he could understand more about Iraqi and Arabic culture than if he had remained.
Al-Azzawi's vast drawing Sabra and Shatila Massacre 1982--3 is an example of work that arose from this process of observation.
Made in response to the 1982 massacre of Palestinian refugees in Beirut by Christian Lebanese Phalangists, the killings took place over several days in refugee camps kept under guard by the Israeli Defence Force. Al-Azzawi explains how working from imagination, he delineated the scenes of chaos and horror in a semi-abstract style to create a work that is not a propaganda piece, but which documents a tragedy.

[@mohamadkebbewar6827]

Beautiful work, thank you for posting!

[@EvieD]

Dia Al-Azzawi is a multi-talented artist. Beautiful sculptures and colourful poignant artworks.

[@toddtaggart9960]

I love your work

[@RaminTork]

Amazing works.

[@juanmedrano4290]

"human creativity it can belong to any body " True .

[@conradbo1]

The Dia Al-Azzawi Guernica like painting is a great example of the concept of Picassofication. Picassofication is a term used often in the Superblur Art Movement.

[@CuriousMind1011]

Powerful!

[@shruggzdastr8-facedclown]

(@2:55): ...his own Guernica!

[@Irysiu]

I just discovered Dias works , I am amazed

[@user-pm5xd3io7t]

Proud he is from my country

[@gavinyates9189]

Very nice

[@molly9929]

3:01 masterpiece.

[@Tavarine]

Bravo

[@sharadvirulkar7001]

🙏🙏♥👌🥰

[@aureliomunozcruz]

Interesante!

[@HIMMBelljuvo]

It does recall the Guernica, doesn't it?

[@asni37]

picasso first at the podium

[@marionmolina2225]

Shabra and Shatila´s massacre work resembles Guernica by Picasso...

[@xyzllii]

Picasso-esque

[@molly9929]

oh, nothing like Picasso. He's just an cubist.

[@NarhazRoon]

Didn't know that Einstein is still alive

[@paintinglessons6694]

ليش تحجي انكليزي يا فنان ❤️

[@TheDesperado557]

Guernica Middle East version

[@elartedericardobenavides1647]

He is an Iraki Millionaire who came to live to to live and invest to UK!!!! With his friend Saatchi!!!!

[@cherrio291]

And what do you think of his art?

[@CuriousMind1011]

Alondra BENAVIDES He maybe a millionaire but he lives for his art and it is powerful and it reaches the heart lover quickly.

[@ans2634]

Why does an artist have to starve in a garret? Isn't this also a romantic myth helpful to artists, from opera buffs and creators to children who learn by looking, hearing and reading through the ages? A musician today can surely be canny enough to make a living from his occupation, while retaining a loyal following in both the north and south? As for collaborations with Mr Saachi and the Tate franchises, they do sorely need some Asian influences, especially in the heart of a cosmopolitan metropolis like London. We could be great again, with a little help from our friends.

[@xxtracts1344]

Wow..he looks like Einstein 😂😂

[@joehatfield1198]

Good, but not as good as Chi Chi Goldstein

[@johncastle8254]

Think of great works of art , Mona Lisa ,sunflowers ,the scream , they have a simple strength ,amateurs always over complicate things ,the black and white painting is over worked ,the colour piece ,the colours and shapes don’t work together .