Kurdish artist Abbas Mohammed brings unique vision to Fallujah’s public spaces

ANBAR — Since the 1990s, Kurdish artist Abbas Mohammed, 35, has been enriching the parks and streets of Fallujah with his distinct artistic vision. After moving to the city in Iraq’s Anbar province with his family decades ago, Mohammed began his career at a young age, working alongside other sculptors and honing his craft.

Over the years, he has refined his skills in decoration and design, overcoming numerous challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic that temporarily interrupted his studies at the Institute of Fine Arts. Undeterred, Mohammed continued to pursue his passion, creating waterfalls and fountains from locally sourced materials like rebar, wire, and gravel. His ambition is to introduce artistic techniques from the Kurdistan region to Fallujah, continuously evolving his work and leaving a unique mark on the city’s public spaces.

“I started working at a young age as an assistant with other sculptors,” Mohammed told 964media. “I was accepted into the Institute of Fine Arts because of my talent, but I had to leave due to the pandemic and financial difficulties. I hope to continue my education in the future.”

Mohammed’s creations, crafted from materials such as cement, sand, and imported Ultratech cement, a specialized medium he incorporates into his sculptures, adorn various locations, including mosques, resorts, and parks. His works often focus on waterfalls, fountains, and traditional Gulf-style seating areas. “I prefer to work after afternoon prayers in the summer to avoid the heat, and in winter, I use a tent to protect the waterfalls from rain,” he explained.

Inspired by the artists he collaborated with early in his career, Mohammed is committed to making his work distinctive. He receives support from the Anbar Artists’ Syndicate, led by Dr. Farouk Nawaf Al-Issawi, who encourages his ongoing development. Mohammed aims to integrate elements of the art he has observed in the Kurdistan region into Fallujah, fostering cultural exchange and enriching the city’s visual landscape.