iNCiA

"Once upon a time Mesopotamia set the ideals of civilzation upon human kind. Lofty ideals come robed in enduring light". . . Ancient Babylonian text

iNCiA is an independent, non-political, non-profit, voluntary organization dedicated to advancing Iraqi art and the education of the public in Iraqi art as an integral part of world art, in particular, through the provision and assistance in the provision of exhibitions, literature, workshops, website and advocacy. Steps are being taken to register iNCiA as a charity through the Charities Commission in the UK.

iNCiA is a development from Strokes of Genius: Contemporary Iraqi Art (SOG) a groundbreaking project dedicated to bringing together Iraq's scattered 'talents in the wind' and communicating the positive and creative energies of Iraqi artists world-wide, past and present.

Founded in 1995 by the London based Iraqi artist Maysaloun Faraj, SOG grew to encompass a dedicated body of volunteers working in collaboration on all aspects. This includes Dr Ulrike al-Khamis, Rashad Selim, Hana Mal Allah, Sadik Alfraji and important others*. Supported by the Arts Council of England, Visiting Arts, art establishments in the UK & overseas as well as tremendous In-Kind Support, SOG was able to establish and build upon a ground-breaking archive & database containing extensive information on Iraqi artists world-wide (past & present).

This was the basis for a 3-part project comprising this website, exhibition tour (UK & USA 2000-3) and the book (Saqi Books 2001 - Edited by Maysaloun Faraj). SOG has continued to reverberate on an international scale and has developed as an international network of contemporary Iraqi artists, hence iNCiA. Progress on many levels continues and plans are underway to publish the first up-to-date 'Dictionary of Contemporary Iraqi Art & Artists'. All Iraqi artists are encouraged to establish contact iNCiA and keep us updated at all times.