Bifurcations of Iraq's visual culture

There is certainly much to be said about the destruction of history and heritage in Iraq during the past century. Such a discussion, however, becomes particularly significant to the years of sanctions and following the US-led invasion. The extreme and sudden disintegration of Iraq's cultural institutions and structures following the 2003 invasion, with its short- and long-term ramifications, presents an unprecedented case. I focus here on Iraq's visual art production; what has been historically known as fine arts (painting, sculpture, photography, graphic designs, etc.), both in their private and public forms. This chapter covers a number of theoretical and practical implications of the situation as it affects the production of Iraqi art.