About the Artist
|
Sadiq Toma |
 |
1952 Born in Baghdad – Iraq .
1974 Obtained Diploma from fine Art Institute, Baghdad .
1974- 1978 Worked for a number of publishing Companies, free lancer in Iraq
As an Illustrator and Graphic Designer and worked in Baghdad TV
For the Children Programmes as an illustrator and animator,
Produced few Animator films (cartoons) , also worked in the
Same period for the Organization of Iraqi antiquities ( Iraqi
Museum) , Designed a number of Posters , Book Covers and
A number of Large Scale Paintings for the Children Museum .
1978 Since 1978 live and work in London , for several publishing Houses
As a Graphic Design and illustrator. in Arab Press House for ( Al-
Sharq Al-awsat) International Newspaper and for the rest of
Magazines as (Al-Majelah ) , (sayidaty) ,and Al- Sarq Al-awsat
(Supplement), and for Iraqi Opposition Newspaper (Almutamer)
At the present time working as free lance delivers some Art
sessions, as( Islamic Art ) (Arabic Calligraphy ) and General Art
the field of School and Adult Education as well given session for
V&A Museum in Education Programmes and the British Museum
In School programmes and full time Painter.
2005 Gained Master Degree (MA) in fine Art at Middlesex University .
Throughout thirty years of exile Sadiq Toma continues to search for fulfilment on canvas. New themes and inspiration come from distant memories and from the past, without neglecting the present or future. Yet, Toma is not content to merely excavate his own personal memories, which comprise of childhood games and youthful dreams, but has instead embraced the memories of an entire ancient civilisation of Iraq.
Although influenced by Sumerian art, Toma does not wish to be an excavator or archaeologist, only an artist who seeks a fresh vision of life and death as did Gilgamesh in his searches and many questions about the fate of mortals. By viewing the original art of Sumeria, such as fragments of clay tablets of cuneiform writing, he converts an often hidden vision in to modern form. Through the use of different materials he produces work that reflects a strong personal belief that the Sumerian era was one of the strongest influences of his Iraqi roots.
Homage to the Past , To the first seeds of civilization in my native land .
Homage to man who created the first words, the first signs and letters on fragment of clay tablet , to the first fossils under the sand.
Homage to my past, my childhood, my youth, to the memories of playing with a stick and a wheel, flying kites of paper , fishing with a rod by the riverbank among reclining canoes on the shore, and the shady palm trees with their swags of succulent dates overhead and the first realization of love lost to the girl of my dreams who lived
Just doors away from mine!
Homage to the fertile clay along the rivers and to the water running along the streams which supported my people through history and time
Homage to the past who deliver to a great future .
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS
1973 Young Artists work, Gallery (4), Baghdad.
1974 The Iraqi Poster of The Young Artist Exhibition, Baghdad.
1974 Participated in Poster Exhibition of the First Arab Biennial, Baghdad.
1975 Poster Exhibition of Iraqi Artists. Iraqi Artist Society Gallery, Baghdad.
1976 Contributed to the Exhibition against Racial Discrimination, Baghdad.
1977 The Annual Exhibition of the Iraqi Artist Society, Baghdad.
1985 Arab Art Exhibition, Islamic Cultural Centre, London.
1987 Arab Art Exhibition, Islamic Cultural Centre, London.
1988 Exhibition of Arab Cultural Week, Chelsea Town Hall, London.
1990 The Annual Exhibition of the Spectator Magazine, Cork Street, London.
1991 International Print Exhibition Miniature, Norway.
1992 The Annual Exhibition of the Spectator Magazine, Barbican Centre and Scotland.
1992 Exhibition ( out of Iraq ) Camden Town - London .
1994 Work selected for Osaka Graphic Triennial Exhibition, 1994 (5th International
Contemporary Art Competition), Japan.
1994 Participated in Exhibition, Art Star Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium.
1995 Work selected for Sorak International Biennial Exhibition Korea.
1996 Participated in Exhibition, Under Different Skies, Copenhagen, Denmark.
1997 Work selected for exhibition, Art Experience, London.
1997 Participated in joint exhibition, Seinajoki, Finland.
1999 Sharjah International Biennial Exhibition, U A E.
2000 Stroke of Genius, London, Exeter, Bath.
2003 Contemporary Islam- Exhibition ..Crescent Gallery -Scarborough
2003 Exhibition (Black Rain) War reflection- Sheffield .
2003 Exhibition (Black Rain) Charnwood Museum Leicestershire .
2006 Salon des Arts - London.
2009 Saint Hilaire - France "Artist in Exile"
ONE MAN SHOWS
1979 Grand Hotel, Leicester.
1984 Islamic Cultural Centre, London.
1987 Chequers Gallery, London.
1991 Goya Gallery, Berlin.
1991 Al-Rafedain Club Gallery, Berlin.
1991 Kufa Gallery, London.
1992 Gallery (4), London.
1994 Huset Gallery, Arhus, Denmark.
1995 Argile Gallery, London.
1996 Cultural Foundation, Abu-Dhabi, U A E.
1996 Cultural Foundation, Sharjah, U A E.
1998 Maldive Islands, Male.
2000 Kufa Gallery, London
2002 Jeddah Gallery, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2002 Kuzama Center Gallery, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2005 Kufa Gallery - London .
2007 Jersey Gallery – Osterly Park, London..
2010 Arts Pace Gallery Mayfair London
2013 Sofia Gallery London
2017 Cravantaise Gallery France