Kareem Siafo

Kareem Siafo, born in Mosul in 1953, is an Iraqi artist renowned for his evocative use of color and harmonious compositions. He graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad in 1975 and the College of Fine Arts in 1979, studying under prominent Iraqi artists, including Faiq Hassan. Siafo is a member of the Iraqi Artists Syndicate, the Iraqi Plastic Artists Association, the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, the Iraqi National Committee, and the International Association of Plastic Arts.

Siafo has held several solo exhibitions, notably in Baghdad in 1990 and 1997, and in Paris in 1999. His work has been showcased in numerous exhibitions both within Iraq and internationally. In 2011, the French Embassy in Baghdad organized an exhibition in his honor. His paintings are distinguished by a refined sensitivity in color application and a balanced blend of hues, imparting a unique charm and distinction to his pieces.

In 2013, Siafo demonstrated his commitment to Iraq's cultural heritage by returning two of his stolen artworks to the National Museum. These pieces had been looted during the 2003 invasion and were recovered by Siafo from art vendors in Baghdad. His dedication to preserving Iraq's artistic legacy underscores his deep connection to his homeland and its rich cultural history.