![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/24BGAUV7SZDMHP4JO773YCXGMY.jpg?smart=true&auth=54c3e8f89dcae23655d6c71e44ad2ab843ef5f1437f8f4cf782041b219b260e4&width=400&height=225)
Khayat even designed clothes, carrying on the legacy of his father, a notable tailor. Antonie Robertson / The National
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Sharjah Art Museum has paid tribute to the life and legacy of pioneering artist Ismail Khayat. An exhibition of his creations, titled Lasting Impressions, runs until November 27. Antonie Robertson / The National
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Khayat, who died aged 78 in October, was among the most daring, creative and influential Arab artists of the 20th century. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
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The exhibition features works spanning his six-decade career, as well as multiple mediums. Antonie Robertson / The National
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Known best for his Expressionist works, Khayat was dubbed the 'grandfather of Kurdish art'. Antonie Robertson / The National
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His works incorporated symbols, landscapes and folklore from Iraqi Kurdistan. Antonie Robertson / The National
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The exhibition is currently on show in Sharjah. Antonie Robertson / The National
Sharjah Art Museum's exhibition includes almost 150 samples of Khayat's works, which number in the thousands.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6AZWLUNNYRAFLKRPWZTXHKPDZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a3aa4e8aed2811f0db73261a92d0ed52bcd8c9d456d7d2727b8e07a5ffa3ab3&width=400&height=225)
Co-curator Alya Al Mulla says: 'He was always experimenting; with different mediums, different techniques, and different elements, coming up with his own style.' Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CBOK4ZRXKBB6RAQJ4UT7DT7PFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=92ada9408278b5d1bd418e7c49c0509315135ac4fa174acf5f056218877b5e77&width=400&height=225)
His son Hayas says: “He was a role model for Kurds at the time because his works were displayed alongside the great artists of Iraq's golden period of fine art." Antonie Robertson / The National
Khayat spent much of his life in the city of Sulaymaniyah — where he taught art at public schools for 25 years, and later at the American University of Iraq.
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The first section of the exhibition showcases the artist's monochromatic works. Antonie Robertson / The National
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A tour of SharjahArt Museum’s exhibition of works by Iraqi-Kurdish artist Ismail Khayat.
Antonie Robertson/The National
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Khayat's peace stones. He began creating them during the Kurdish Civil War, which started in 1994. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/24BGAUV7SZDMHP4JO773YCXGMY.jpg?smart=true&auth=54c3e8f89dcae23655d6c71e44ad2ab843ef5f1437f8f4cf782041b219b260e4&width=400&height=225)
Khayat even designed clothes, carrying on the legacy of his father, a notable tailor. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MTNQV3WUNRFPVMQ724TR2JKIPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=20857d09d3cf0da780879124970f3db2cddb80f97de13efed95c977d652fc50c&width=400&height=225)
Sharjah Art Museum has paid tribute to the life and legacy of pioneering artist Ismail Khayat. An exhibition of his creations, titled Lasting Impressions, runs until November 27. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N5B7CYWQ7ZAVPJUCEFLFA2LHAQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=78a35da674d60281abcb0308eeb940da0e3ebcbc116cd37cb9ce8c791a7cb691&width=400&height=225)
Khayat, who died aged 78 in October, was among the most daring, creative and influential Arab artists of the 20th century. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YE4S63BZOZCZDETFFFSMBBZJMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd13d8eed7ff604745ed21cdf4043fbda5678b4702b488d504cf32abdd2b0e6b&width=400&height=225)
The exhibition features works spanning his six-decade career, as well as multiple mediums. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BOZTGVFMGBCFTFVOR2AWR6BKRU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e92442d467fadac66ee74627c0257cbfb2b6e1a4452afe288c0851a0f98345fc&width=400&height=225)
Known best for his Expressionist works, Khayat was dubbed the 'grandfather of Kurdish art'. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P4OXG6XFNBCXTJM5SL5CI6APBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=e8014455d4ece99282ca88bfdd8bb5e4c030532d6224666fc29e5d5b367b502d&width=400&height=225)
His works incorporated symbols, landscapes and folklore from Iraqi Kurdistan. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R3E2SD7SANDJXG7NYCK75EXSDI.jpg?smart=true&auth=10493e9afdf198401d84c471120f4ea71e9f09643470d5690046398da5179613&width=400&height=225)
The exhibition is currently on show in Sharjah. Antonie Robertson / The National
Sharjah Art Museum's exhibition includes almost 150 samples of Khayat's works, which number in the thousands.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6AZWLUNNYRAFLKRPWZTXHKPDZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a3aa4e8aed2811f0db73261a92d0ed52bcd8c9d456d7d2727b8e07a5ffa3ab3&width=400&height=225)
Co-curator Alya Al Mulla says: 'He was always experimenting; with different mediums, different techniques, and different elements, coming up with his own style.' Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CBOK4ZRXKBB6RAQJ4UT7DT7PFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=92ada9408278b5d1bd418e7c49c0509315135ac4fa174acf5f056218877b5e77&width=400&height=225)
His son Hayas says: “He was a role model for Kurds at the time because his works were displayed alongside the great artists of Iraq's golden period of fine art." Antonie Robertson / The National
Khayat spent much of his life in the city of Sulaymaniyah — where he taught art at public schools for 25 years, and later at the American University of Iraq.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SO2E4IINY5CB7GO5YJYAUNEZXY.jpg?smart=true&auth=e7397aa7615bb608a9a157ac421603fed50002b9069044992feff260f1c932e0&width=400&height=225)
The first section of the exhibition showcases the artist's monochromatic works. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LRIKNW3PKRC47KBNDJL6TQYC4Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=34135a96183bd5e5939220bab0d9ac60e7c10f26ab9d797203351457bd3f6065&width=400&height=225)
A tour of SharjahArt Museum’s exhibition of works by Iraqi-Kurdish artist Ismail Khayat.
Antonie Robertson/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RTFUVBUZUZFL7HCB6YS65UCVMI.jpg?smart=true&auth=625b58b2b8069284732dc63eb0aa163334e6a6051e350930904d07e75e4d0c15&width=400&height=225)
Khayat's peace stones. He began creating them during the Kurdish Civil War, which started in 1994. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/24BGAUV7SZDMHP4JO773YCXGMY.jpg?smart=true&auth=54c3e8f89dcae23655d6c71e44ad2ab843ef5f1437f8f4cf782041b219b260e4&width=400&height=225)
Khayat even designed clothes, carrying on the legacy of his father, a notable tailor. Antonie Robertson / The National
Sharjah Art Museum retrospective pays tribute to 'Picasso of Iraq' Ismail Khayat
Also known as the 'Grandfather of Kurdish Art', Khayat was a pioneering artist and teacher
![Hareth Al Bustani](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fb91364fa-4e08-41b0-a47d-a73738ea0d06.png?smart=true&auth=210c3f617c459d0319021e44fca82e010c402edff39090f9d9f522b9a0102d6a&width=70&height=70)
Hareth Al Bustani
19 November, 2022
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