Artists bring new life to Kurdish folklore, combining tradition with modern technology

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Two Kurdish artists held one-of-a-kind exhibitions in the Kurdistan Region to showcase their talents, combining Kurdish folklore and digital arts.

Sponsored by Kurdistan 24 Company for Media and Research Ltd, Alan Ali and Shanaz Jamal held an art exhibition in Sulaimani last month titled “La Sebari Rabrduda,” Kurdish for “In the Shadow of the Past.”

The two artists held a similar exhibit in Erbil, opening their doors at 3:00 pm local time on Monday, drawing crowds of art enthusiasts in the Region.

“The artwork displayed here is unique, completely new to the Kurdistan Region,” Jamal previously told Kurdistan 24. “It combines Kurdish folklore and digital arts.”

During a live broadcast in Erbil, Ali told Kurdistan 24 that the purpose of the exhibit was to reinvent and breathe new life into Kurdish folklore by showcasing accessories used and adorned by Kurds in the past and which are now fading away.

“We want to bring back these items into today’s Kurdish community to preserve them and save them from being lost to history,” Ali said.

He noted that each piece appearing in the artwork displayed comes from the Kurdistan Region, including the people and locations pictured.

“We both could have displayed our art separately, but combining them serves the work and our goals,” Ali added.

He explained that simple, less colorful dresses than the traditional ones normally worn by Kurdish women, were used to draw more focus to the items being displayed.

Editing by Nadia Riva