Abstract Red Figure with Surreal Faces

Saleh Al Jumaie (صالح الجميعي), born in 1939 in Iraq, is a prominent figure in modern Iraqi art, recognized for his innovative approach to painting and mixed media. Al Jumaie graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad in 1962 and later pursued further studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, where he was influenced by European modernism. His work is characterized by a synthesis of traditional Iraqi motifs and contemporary abstraction, often incorporating calligraphic elements and textured surfaces that reflect both his cultural heritage and a modernist sensibility.

Throughout his career, Al Jumaie has exhibited extensively in Iraq and internationally. Notably, his works have been featured in significant institutional exhibitions, including shows at the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha and the Sharjah Art Museum. His contributions to the Iraqi art scene have been recognized as pivotal in the development of post-war modernism in the region. Al Jumaie was also a founding member of the "Innovationists" group in Baghdad during the 1960s, which sought to push the boundaries of artistic expression in Iraq.

Al Jumaie’s works have appeared at major auction houses, including Sotheby’s and Christie’s, where his paintings have attracted attention from collectors of Middle Eastern modern art. His pieces are held in several public and private collections, underscoring his lasting influence on the trajectory of Iraqi and Arab art. Saleh Al Jumaie continues to be celebrated for his experimental techniques and his role in shaping the narrative of modern art in Iraq.