Art works of Ismail Khayat - in pictures

  • Ismail Khayat died in October 2022; he had been in a coma for two years. Photo: Ismail Khayat / Facebook
    Ismail Khayat died in October 2022; he had been in a coma for two years. Photo: Ismail Khayat / Facebook
  • He was known fondly by critics and fans as 'the godfather of Kurdish art'. Photo: Ismail Khayat / Facebook
    He was known fondly by critics and fans as 'the godfather of Kurdish art'. Photo: Ismail Khayat / Facebook
  • He developed a distinctive style, inspired by Kurdish folklore and symbolism and Iraqi landscapes, infused with Kurdish issues of collective struggle and political isolation. Photo: Ismail Khayat / Facebook
    He developed a distinctive style, inspired by Kurdish folklore and symbolism and Iraqi landscapes, infused with Kurdish issues of collective struggle and political isolation. Photo: Ismail Khayat / Facebook
  • Over the course of his career, Khayat displayed his work across Iraq, the Arab region and the wider world; with shows in France, the US, Japan and others. Photo: Ismail Khayat / Facebook
    Over the course of his career, Khayat displayed his work across Iraq, the Arab region and the wider world; with shows in France, the US, Japan and others. Photo: Ismail Khayat / Facebook
  • An exhibition of Khayat's is on show at the Sharjah Art Museum until November 27. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    An exhibition of Khayat's is on show at the Sharjah Art Museum until November 27. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • One of his artworks from 2012, an acrylic and ink piece. Photo: Ismail Khayat / Facebook
    One of his artworks from 2012, an acrylic and ink piece. Photo: Ismail Khayat / Facebook
  • Working with various mediums, he produced nearly 8,000 works over his life. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    Working with various mediums, he produced nearly 8,000 works over his life. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • He regularly painted vibrant portraits of women inspired by his mother and wife. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    He regularly painted vibrant portraits of women inspired by his mother and wife. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • After meeting his wife Gaziza Omer, Khayat's work became noticably more colourful. Kurdish Music, 2001. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    After meeting his wife Gaziza Omer, Khayat's work became noticably more colourful. Kurdish Music, 2001. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • Khayat stands with a painting of peace in Pirar in 2000, no man's land during the Kurdish Civil war. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    Khayat stands with a painting of peace in Pirar in 2000, no man's land during the Kurdish Civil war. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • Khayat produced several expressive and analytical works depicting the cityscape of Baghdad. A Balcony in Baghad, 1965, Chinese ink on paper. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    Khayat produced several expressive and analytical works depicting the cityscape of Baghdad. A Balcony in Baghad, 1965, Chinese ink on paper. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • The 'stone man' pushed mediums to their limits. Stones in shape of Hand 2013, Acrylic on Stones. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    The 'stone man' pushed mediums to their limits. Stones in shape of Hand 2013, Acrylic on Stones. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • Birds feature prominently in Khayat's work as symbols of peace and freedom. A Bird, oil on paper. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    Birds feature prominently in Khayat's work as symbols of peace and freedom. A Bird, oil on paper. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • Untitled, 1980, oil color on canvas. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    Untitled, 1980, oil color on canvas. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • Khayat's work demonstrated a wide array of forms, including this piece from the Sham and Land collection, 1978. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    Khayat's work demonstrated a wide array of forms, including this piece from the Sham and Land collection, 1978. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • Masks, 2004, pen on Chinese paper. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    Masks, 2004, pen on Chinese paper. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • The landscapes of Iraqi Kurdistan are threaded throughout Khayat's works. Near the River, 2006, watercolour and ink on paper. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    The landscapes of Iraqi Kurdistan are threaded throughout Khayat's works. Near the River, 2006, watercolour and ink on paper. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
  • An installation of painted stones of peace in the Pirar Mountains, 1999. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery
    An installation of painted stones of peace in the Pirar Mountains, 1999. Photo: Ismail Khayat Gallery