Tomorrow marks the opening of a captivating new exhibition at the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, titled "All Manner of Experiments: Legacies of the Baghdad Modern Art Group." Running from February 12 to June 7, 2026, this exhibition is curated by the renowned art historian Nada Shabout. It delves into the innovative ways Iraqi artists crafted a modern visual language in Baghdad during a pivotal era of nation-building and decolonization.
The Baghdad Modern Art Group, established in 1951 by artists Jewad Selim and Shakir Hassan Al Said, emerged as a cultural response to the challenges that arose after colonial rule. The Group sought to transcend the limited definitions of "Islamic art" by exploring new artistic expressions through abstraction, calligraphy, figuration, and references to Iraq’s ancient heritage, thereby forging a unique modern and local aesthetic.
This exhibition showcases a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and extensive archival materials, many of which are being documented for the first time. Spanning from the 1950s to the present, it highlights the lasting impact of the Baghdad Modern Art Group’s philosophies on subsequent generations of Iraqi artists, both within Iraq and throughout the global diaspora.
The exhibition's title is inspired by the Group’s manifesto, which embraced artistic practice as an open-ended exploration. At NYU Abu Dhabi, this concept resonates with the Art Gallery’s mission as a university museum, where exhibitions serve as platforms for research, debate, and historical reinterpretation. A series of public talks and academic programs will accompany the exhibition, drawing on NYU Abu Dhabi’s interdisciplinary strengths.
Featured Artists
The exhibition presents a rich array of artists, including Faraj Abbo, Sadik Kwaish Alfraji, Himat Mohammad Ali, Rasoul Alwan, Suad al-Attar, Qahtan Awni, Dia al-Azzawi, Bogus Bablanian, among others. These artists embody the vibrant tapestry of Iraqi art, both historically and in contemporary contexts.
Exhibition Origins and Support
"All Manner of Experiments" was initially organized by the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College. The presentation at Bard’s Hessel Museum of Art was also curated by Nada Shabout, alongside Tiffany Floyd and Lauren Cornell. The exhibition is supported by the Barjeel Art Foundation, The Ramzi and Saeda Dalloul Art Foundation, the Farjam Foundation, and the Ibrahimi Collection. Major support is provided by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.
Exhibition Details
Title: All Manner of Experiments: Legacies of the Baghdad Modern Art Group
Dates: February 12–June 7, 2026
Admission: Free
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12-8pm
Opening Events
Wednesday, February 11
5-8pm: Opening reception with the curator and exhibiting artists
Thursday, February 12
3:30pm: Exhibition tour by Dr. Nada Shabout
5pm: Panel discussion, "The Legacy of the Baghdad Modern Art Group in Contemporary Iraqi Art"