Themes of life and death
Iraqi artist Moayed Joda unveils ‘Journey’ exhibition in Baghdad
BAGHDAD — Iraqi visual artist Moayed Joda has unveiled his latest exhibition, titled “Journey,” at The Gallery in Baghdad’s Karrada district. The exhibit, which explores the themes of life and death, will remain on display until the end of the month.
Joda, born in Baghdad in 1976 and a graduate of the College of Fine Arts, has an extensive background in art shaped by his travels. After leaving Iraq in 1999, he lived in Algeria, which he described as “a vast and inspiring country, close to Europe with a rich heritage.” He spent four years there before returning to Iraq in 2003. In 2005, he moved to Morocco for another four years before finally settling in Belgium.
“The exhibit includes three projects: ‘The Caravan of Eggs,’ ‘The Journey of Ants,’ and ‘The Cocoon of Souls,'” Joda told 964media. “The overarching theme is the dichotomy of life and death and everything in between, with each project carrying its own unique focus.”
“The Caravan of Eggs” depicts a flock carrying an iron pan, symbolizing contrasts such as black and white, hard and soft. “At its core, it speaks of humanity’s relationship with the earth — nature and pollution,” Joda said.
“The Journey of Ants” reflects a long voyage inspired by Gilgamesh’s existential questions about life and death, intertwined with Joda’s childhood memories. “As a child, I watched ants carrying small white objects that I imagined were children,” he said. “Later, I likened them to women in black cloaks carrying their children, resembling ants.” This piece has traveled with him across Algeria, Morocco, and Belgium, ultimately returning to Iraq.
“Cocoon of Souls,” a concept debuting in Baghdad, transforms imagination into reality through three phases inspired by nature. “A worm crawls on the ground, forms a cocoon in apparent stillness, and emerges as a butterfly — symbolizing rebirth,” Joda explained. He uses floating fabric to represent the stages: “The Wandering of Souls,” where the fabric flutters freely; “The Cocooning,” where the fabric begins to enclose; and finally, “The Emergence,” where it opens to reveal a new being.
Joda also highlighted “The Ants,” a handmade work inspired by the rhythmic weaving techniques of women in older generations. “When women weave colorful rugs, they enter a meditative state, releasing pressures, negativity, and hidden emotions into something beautiful and instinctive,” he said.
Zina Salem, an attendee and former classmate of Joda, expressed her admiration for the exhibit. “I have been following Moayed Joda’s work since his time in Europe,” Salem told 964media. “Contemporary art, or postmodern art, is a fresh window into the reality of Iraqi visual art, despite being timid due to limited resources and the community’s lack of interaction with such works.”
She praised The Gallery for hosting and presenting these innovative experiments with a high level of professionalism. “This exhibit is no less professional than previous ones,” Salem said. “These works touch on the human condition and the virtual realities the artist has experienced.”