Erbil Hosts Exclusive Exhibition of Artist Akram Bakr’s Latest Paintings

Erbil (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdish painter Akram Bakr opened a new solo exhibition of his latest works on Wednesday, at Media Gallery in Erbil, marking his first personal showcase in the Kurdistan Region’s capital. The exhibition, which features 32 paintings, will run for three days.

Speaking to Kurdistan 24, Bakr described the significance of presenting his work in Erbil for the first time, noting that his collection consists largely of oil paintings, with several pieces produced using pen and charcoal. He emphasized that all his works portray “silent nature,” rendered with complete realism and meticulous detail.

“My paintings are entirely quiet and serene. I convey harmony through fine detail,” he said. “For me, art is pleasure. Art cannot be beautiful if it is not truthful, and it cannot be truthful without full reflection and reading. My message through art is a general one of peace, calm, and tranquility.”

Bakr explained that his canvases serve as a form of grounding amid widespread conflict and destruction. “My paintings are a re-creation of the reality in which I live — what pleases my heart. I love the work I do. Some things capture my attention, and I incorporate them into my paintings,” he added.

Akram Bakr, originally from Western Kurdistan (Northern Syria), was born in 1974. He is a former member of the Syrian Artists’ Syndicate and a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Syria. He has previously held several solo exhibitions in Syria and Beirut, and his artistic style is rooted entirely in realism.