Steven Lee Myers writes in today's NYT about an art exhibition in Baghdad that is sponsored by followers of Moqtada al-Sadr. The theme of the paintings and sculptures is the life of Imam Hussein ("a series of works focused on Imam Hussein’s example of resistance and martyrdom in the fight against injustice").
Myers says that many artists fled Iraq during the violence, however they are slowly returning. Hasim Hamid al-Hashami opened the exhibition's gallery about six months ago.
As to whether or not the art is political:
"The curators and artists said they felt no pressure to be dogmatic, to hew to the Sadrists’ version of Islam or of art. While the exhibition was religious, the styles and subjects were not necessarily so. The exhibit amounts to a campaign by the Sadrists to go beyond their past as a purely confrontational force to Iraqis, presenting a more moderate version of Shiite tenets, which is significant after an election that widely rejected religious parties."
65. It sounds like some of the paintings that depict violence are brightly colored. That reminds me of Goya paintings. Are bright colors a frequent motif of paintings about violence/war?
66. Are any Americans visiting the exhibition?
67. What is the number of American soldiers based in Baghdad currently?
68. Did Moqtada al-Sadr actively participate/endorse candidates in the recent elections?
69. When will Obama be making his speech in an Islamic capital? The article I read several months ago predicted Cairo or Jakarta but recommended Istanbul --- where will he end up going?
