University art exhibit showcases student talent and ancient heritage

MUTHANNA — The College of Administration and Economics at the University of Al-Muthanna, in collaboration with the Iraqi Artists’ Syndicate, hosted an art exhibition on Monday, spotlighting student paintings and performances to nurture young talent and celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The event featured student flute performances and an artist demonstration of crafting cuneiform clay tablets, showcasing symbols from the ancient Sumerian civilization. The clay used for the tablets was sourced from Samawah’s rivers, emphasizing the local connection to this historical art form.

“This joint exhibition aims to discover youth talents and invigorate the artistic movement in a country renowned for its culture and creativity,” Hayder Al-Shahir, head of the Fine Arts department at the Artists’ Syndicate, told 964media.

Participating artist Thaer Al-Sumari shared insights into his contributions. “I presented Sumerian and Akkadian cuneiform tablets, including Babylonian and Assyrian scripts, to introduce students to Al-Muthanna’s historical legacy,” he said.

He further explained, “The tablets are crafted from natural clay collected from the rivers, refined, and inscribed with cuneiform symbols, connecting us to our ancient heritage.”

The Sumerians, among the world’s earliest civilizations, settled in southern Mesopotamia around 4,000 BCE. They are credited with creating cuneiform, one of the first known writing systems, and pioneering advancements in law, literature, and city planning.

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