Haitham Al Samarrai

Hashim Al Samarrai, born in Samarra, Iraq, in 1969, is a distinguished artist known for his evocative oil and acrylic paintings that blend realism with expressionistic colors, rich textures, and dynamic light. His works often depict scenes from Iraq's ancient traditions and landscapes, as well as American vistas, reflecting his experiences and cultural heritage.

Al Samarrai graduated at the top of his class from the Baghdad Institute of Fine Arts in 1991. During the challenging period of economic sanctions that followed the Gulf War, he demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness by creating canvases from repurposed cloth and homemade paint, which contributed to the unique texture and depth of his paintings.

His art has been showcased in numerous galleries across the Middle East and the United States. Notably, in July 2025, the Brush Strokes Gallery in Fredericksburg, Virginia, featured his exhibition titled "Crossroads: Where East Meets West," which included 18 of his paintings. This exhibition highlighted his ability to intertwine Middle Eastern culture with American landscapes, emphasizing the shared humanity between the two cultures. Al Samarrai's works are held in private collections worldwide, attesting to his international recognition and the universal appeal of his art.