Fouad Abd Al Rahim

Abd al-Rahim al-Wakil (1936–2017) was a prominent Iraqi sculptor known for his mastery in working with materials such as marble, stone, bronze, and wood. Born in Hillah, he earned a diploma from the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad in 1959. He furthered his studies in sculpture and design at Chelsea College in London and specialized in bronze casting techniques at the Central School of Fine Arts, also in London. Upon returning to Iraq, al-Wakil held significant positions, including Head of the Sculpture and Casting Department at the Directorate General of Antiquities and Head of the Plastic Arts Department at the Academy of Fine Arts in Baghdad. He also obtained a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Pennsylvania.

Throughout his career, al-Wakil participated in numerous exhibitions, both domestically and internationally. Notably, he held a permanent exhibition at Chelsea College from 1961 to 1964 and showcased his work at the National Museum of Modern Art in 1961 and at the Al-Alawiya Club in 1967. In 1969, he completed a bronze monument at Kuwait Airport. In 1986, he exhibited at the Al-Riwaq Gallery. His contributions to the art world were recognized with various awards and honors.

In a significant act of generosity, al-Wakil donated over seventy of his sculptures, along with personal art collections, to the College of Fine Arts at the University of Babylon. This collection, which includes works by renowned artists such as Jawad Saleem, Mohamed Ali Shaker, and Alaa Hussein Bashir, now forms the core of the university's Museum of Contemporary Art. The estimated value of these donations exceeds one million US dollars, underscoring al-Wakil's dedication to preserving and promoting Iraqi art heritage.