Kurdish Artist Kazhal Panahi Presents 21 Paintings in Erbil Exhibition
Titled “Reflections of Imagination,” the exhibition explores human emotions, inner thoughts and the relationship between colour, form and artistic expression
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdish artist Kazhal Hussein Panahi opened a solo painting exhibition titled “Reflections of Imagination” at the Erbil Media Gallery on Monday, presenting 21 artworks exploring human emotions, imagination and personal perspectives on the surrounding world.
Organised by the Erbil General Directorate of Culture and Arts in cooperation with the Directorate of Fine Arts and Handicrafts, the exhibition brings together paintings in which colours, lines and shapes serve as expressions of feelings and ideas beyond conventional visual representation.
Speaking to Kurdistan24, Panahi said the exhibition offered an opportunity to present 21 of her paintings in Erbil, describing them as reflections of her emotional experiences and understanding of the world.
She said the title, “Reflections of Imagination,” highlights the ability of imagination to move beyond everyday reality and create new worlds through colour and emotion.
"Imagination is not merely a source for creating images, but a way of expressing feelings that live within human beings and sometimes cannot easily be communicated through words," Panahi said.
Exploring the human experience through art
Panahi said one of the defining features of her paintings is their focus on human beings and their psychological and emotional states.
She highlighted one painting depicting a woman sitting quietly on a chair, explaining that the seemingly simple scene invites viewers to consider deeper themes of reflection, imagination, silence and inner dialogue.
The woman's posture, facial expression and the direction of her head, alongside the composition of colours, contribute to an emotional atmosphere that encourages viewers to look beyond the immediate image and explore its deeper meaning.
The artist also emphasised her use of contrasting warm and cool colours, particularly red and pink alongside blue, pale green and white, to create visual balance while establishing depth and distinction between different elements of her paintings.
She said the contrast is not simply decorative but helps guide the viewer's attention towards details and different layers of meaning within the artwork.
Creating a dialogue between artist and viewer
Panahi described the exhibition as an opportunity for visitors to become acquainted with her artistic world and see how internal ideas and emotions take shape on canvas.
She said her work begins with colours and lines but ultimately develops into a dialogue between the artist and the viewer.
Kazhal Hussein Panahi is a Kurdish female artist originally from Eastern Kurdistan. Through painting, she seeks to express the human inner world, emotions, imagination and the beauty of life through colour, lines and forms.
She has participated in several group exhibitions and has also held multiple solo exhibitions.
