Iraq – Making it on Baghdad’s Al-Mutanabbi Street-Artist thrives in challenging times

Location: Baghdad – Iraq

Language: Arabic

Duration: 00:04:28

Sound: natural

Source: A24 in Baghdad

Restrictions: A24 subscribers

Date: 27/08/ 2022

Storyline:

The difficult living conditions and economic crisis in Iraq led  34 year old Ammar to turn his hobby into a profession to support his family.

Ammar told A24 that he learned painting from his uncle about nine years ago, but he cultivated his talent by drawing everything that his eyes fell on, including people and landscapes.

Now he’s reached a stage where he rapidly depicts faces of his customers within a period of ten minutes.

Speaking to A24, customers on Al-Mutanabbi Street- in the capital’s historic center known for its  booksellers and art galleries-  praised Ammar’s talent, and called on Iraqi youth to follow his example by turning  their talents into professions.

Shotlist:

– Soundbite (Ammar – Artist on Al-Mutanabbi Street):

“My name is Ammar, my hobby is painting, which I picked up in 2013, when I started to learn from my uncle. Painting became my source of income to support my family. I come to Al-Mutanabbi Street on a daily basis, where I draw several paintings of public figures, especially celebrities, such as singer Umm Kulthum, Iraqi intellectual Ali Al-Wardi, and others. I have cultivated my talent through continuous training, especially since I have a passion for painting. I started with drawing everything that my eyes fell on without hesitation including people, buildings and landscapes. My uncle, may God have mercy on his soul, stood by me and taught me how to draw. I started by painting portraits of people within a period of ten minutes.”

– Soundbite (Qasim Shankali – Iraqi residing in Germany):

“I hope all young people will work to develop themselves and be able to work in any field. In light of the difficult conditions here in Iraq, we lack competencies and institutes that produce elite youth. I hope for young people to cultivate their talents and turn their hobbies into professions to provide for themselves and their families. Artist Ammar produces modest and simple, yet beautiful artwork. He has limited resources but his paintings are wonderful.”