Kurdish sculptor Chenar Nizar has completed two massive marble statues in his private studio. The impressive three-meter-tall artworks honor Nali and Sherko Bekas, two of the most influential voices in Kurdish literature. Through these public monuments, the artist hopes to preserve Kurdish cultural identity for future generations.
This ambitious project demanded an extraordinary amount of patience and dedication. Nizar spent approximately four months of continuous work on each statue, carefully overseeing every stage of the creative process. From selecting the raw marble blocks to carrying out the final polishing, he completed every step himself. Marble carving leaves no room for mistakes; a single wrong strike can instantly destroy months of painstaking work.
The completed statue of Nali stands 285 centimeters tall, while the monument to Sherko Bekas reaches 270 centimeters. However, Nizar was concerned with more than the statues’ impressive size. His primary goal was to capture the unique emotional character of each writer. To achieve this, he carefully studied old photographs, archival materials, and detailed biographies.
As a result, the two sculptures have distinct appearances. The statue of Nali conveys wisdom, composure, and profound scholarly authority. In contrast, the sculpture of Sherko Bekas expresses quiet, deep introspection. Together, the artworks reflect the unique literary legacy of both men.
Nizar believes that public sculpture has a unique ability to communicate across generations. For this reason, he deliberately prioritized precision over speed throughout the project. Born in Sulaimani in 1986, he graduated from the Sculpture Department of the Sulaimani Institute of Fine Arts and has participated in dozens of local and international exhibitions.
The public will have the opportunity to view these monumental marble masterpieces during the official unveiling ceremony on July 8, 2026. This highly anticipated cultural event will take place on that date, marking the public debut of the two sculptures.