Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 2 works by Kareem Abdul Risan in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Kareem Abdul Risan left, the most famous is Baghdad is an Occupied City (2003), in the collection of the Ibrahimi Collection, Amman. Our catalog holds 2 works by Kareem Abdul Risan; the gallery has kept the 2 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
In the evocative painting "Baghdad is an Occupied City," created in 2003 by the Iraqi artist Kareem Abdul Risan, we are invited to witness a moment of profound historical tension. The canvas serves as more than just a depiction of a landscape; it is a visceral record of a city caught in the crosshairs of conflict. Through a masterful blend of realism and atmospheric depth, Risan captures the heavy stillness…
The museum that holds the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Kareem Abdul Risan | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ibrahimi Collection |
Amman | 2 | Baghdad is an Occupied City, Improvisation |
From 2003 to 2019, Kareem Abdul Risan worked for 17 years: the selection follows that long career year by year, through its finest originals.
Pick a year to see its originals.
In the evocative painting "Baghdad is an Occupied City," created in 2003 by the Iraqi artist Kareem Abdul Risan, we are invited to witness a moment of profound historical tension. The canvas serves as more than just a depiction of a landscape; it is a visceral record of a city caught in the crosshairs of conflict. Through a masterful blend of realism and atmospheric depth, Risan captures the heavy stillness…
Baghdad is an Occupied City (2003).
20 years old: Baghdad is an Occupied City dates from 2003, and Kareem Abdul Risan was born in 1983.
Our catalog holds 2 works by Kareem Abdul Risan, dated from 2003 to 2019.
Mostly in Ibrahimi Collection (Amman). The museum table above lists them all.
On this page, the earliest is Baghdad is an Occupied City (2003) and the latest Improvisation (2019).
Baghdad is an Occupied City and Improvisation: the Ibrahimi Collection, Amman holds 2 of the works on this page.
Born in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1983, Kareem Abdul Risan emerged from the shadows of a nation grappling with profound conflict and displacement—a formative experience that would irrevocably shape his artistic vision. While biographical details of his early years remain relatively sparse, Risan's oeuvre speaks volumes about his deep engagement with Iraqi history and culture, particularly its impact on the contemporary soul. His work is characterized by an uncompromising honesty and a willingness to confront difficult truths, mirroring the spirit of resilience found within the very fabric of Iraqi society.
Risan’s artistic journey began with a grounding in traditional craft at Baghdad University, where he focused primarily on ceramics. This early mastery of a tactile, earth-bound medium would become central to his distinctive style, providing him with a unique way to manipulate texture and form. This foundation in ceramic technique, combined with an intellectual curiosity for modern abstraction, allowed him to bridge the gap between ancient heritage and contemporary expression. His work often functions as a visceral record of a city caught in the crosshairs of conflict, using the weight of his materials to mirror the gravity of his subject matter.
Risan’s artistic approach defies easy categorization, operating within a realm where the boundaries of medium are constantly pushed. He deliberately rejects conventional aesthetics in favor of an experimental spirit that blends Islamic art motifs with the fluid grace of Arabic calligraphy. In pieces such as Improvisation, he embraces a fragmented visual language reminiscent of modern abstraction, creating a sense of movement and chaos that reflects the instability of his homeland. His work is deeply influenced by the broader context of Iraqi artistic history, drawing inspiration from the pointillism style of artists like Sayid Akert Sukri to capture the complexities of a landscape marked by both scars and renewal.
Beyond the formal elements of his technique, Risan’s paintings and ceramics serve as poignant meditations on memory and loss. His work often examines the chaos and violence in Iraq post-2003, acting as a reminder that the notion of a period "after the war" is rarely the reality experienced by those living through it. Through textured surfaces and muted tones, he creates scenes that feel both intimate and reflective, carrying both personal feeling and collective memory. Whether depicting the heavy atmosphere of an occupied cityscape or the quiet resilience of the human figure, his art captures the traces and remnants of a world in flux.
The significance of Kareem Abdul Risan’s contribution to contemporary art lies in his ability to transform historical trauma into a universal language of endurance. His work has garnered recognition on international stages, notably featured in the Fuji Art Museum’s collection in Japan and showcased at the prestigious Katara Art Foundation. These exhibitions have allowed his narrative—one of struggle, identity, and the search for beauty amidst ruin—to resonate far beyond the borders of Iraq.
As his career continues to evolve, Risan remains a vital voice in the dialogue regarding Middle Eastern contemporary art. His ability to weave together the following elements ensures his place in the modern canon:
