Maysaloun Faraj

Born California, USA, 1955

Of Iraqi parentage, Faraj returned to Baghdad in 1968 where she continued her studies and obtained a BSc in architecture from the College of Architectural Engineering, University of Baghdad, 1978. She later developed her skills in painting and ceramics, training at the Inner London Education Authority. Over a period of twentyfive years, Faraj has contributed to more than fifty group exhibitions at local and international level, has won awards and held fifteen one-woman shows to date. Her artwork is in both private and public collections which include the National Museum for Women in the Arts,Washington, DC, and Wereldmuseum, Rotterdam. She has participated in group shows including, recently, Strokes of Genius: Contemporary Iraqi Art, UK & USA tour, 2000–3; Islamic World Biennial,Tehran Museum of Modern Art, Iran, 2002; Contemporary Arab Art, Wereldmuseum, Rotterdam, 2001; Dialogue of the Present, UK tour, 1999/2000; Artists for Human Rights, Durban, South Africa, 1999; and Forces of Change, National Museum for Women in the Arts,Washington, DC, USA tour, 1994–5. In 1995 Faraj founded the International Network for Contemporary Iraqi Artists (INCIA), which culminated in a touring exhibition and the publication of Strokes of Genius: Contemporary Iraqi Art, of which she was the editor. Her work in painting and ceramics refers to her concern about Iraq's lost heritage. Faraj has been living and working in London since 1982.