SADDAM JUMAILY
Saddam Jumaily, born in Basra, Iraq, is an award-winning painter, sculptor, author, and lecturer whose work is defined by its philosophical depth and poignant exploration of memory, nostalgia, and the human condition. Jumaily holds a Master’s degree in Visual Arts from Basra University, where his talent and ideas were so highly regarded that they led to his appointment as a lecturer for five years. Over the years, Jumaily has established himself as a multidisciplinary artist, blending painting, sculpture, book art, and research into a powerful body of work that captures the chaos and complexity of life in the Arab World.
Jumaily’s artistic journey has been shaped by displacement. Forced to flee Iraq due to accusations from fundamentalists, his migration across countries amplified his reflections on belonging, identity, and the alienation experienced by immigrants. Now based in Helsinki, Finland, his works continue to explore themes of immigration, religious authority, and social tensions, often addressing the cultural and emotional impacts of war, extremism, and racism. Through a sensory and semantic fusion, his art portrays the intricate relationship between homesickness and the fear of returning, reflecting the broader struggles of the displaced.
His work has been exhibited in solo and group shows across Iraq, Finland, the UAE, Jordan, and Kuwait, with highlights including Christie’s Auction in New York (2016), Art Dubai (2016), and the Sharjah Biennale (2023). His art is held in the collections of esteemed institutions such as the British Museum and the Qatar Museum of Islamic Art. Jumaily has also received numerous grants and residencies, including the Rescue Fund Scholarship from the Institute of International Education (2015-2016), the Saaren Kartano Residency in Finland (2019), and SKR grants in 2021 and 2022.
In addition to his visual art, Jumaily is a published author and editor, contributing to several books and articles on Arab art. His works are a poignant depiction of the tension between personal longing and broader social realities, leaving an enduring impression on contemporary art and culture.
Saddam’s artworks are available exclusively online through our partner gallery, Marsoum Art Collective