Kurdish artist and writer Hama Hashim opened his latest exhibition, Memories of Stone, at Erbil Media Hall. The show will run for 10 days and features 24 large-format paintings alongside one immersive installation. Hashim aims to convey the painful memories and struggles of society through his art.
“I used stone as a symbol of identity, holding stories of human suffering and memory,” Hashim said. The exhibition highlights themes of loss, dignity, and remembrance. A major focus is on victims of violence against women, particularly girls killed in the name of honor. Hashim explained, “I want to restore dignity to those who die for nothing, turning their memories into a monument through color, painting, and beauty.”
Another section honors construction workers who lost their lives supporting families. Hashim incorporates concrete pieces with bread in his works, symbolizing the struggles and sacrifices of the working class. He stressed that artists have a responsibility to reflect on injustices and societal events, creating art that communicates meaning clearly to audiences.
Born in Koya in 1973, Hashim graduated from Erbil’s Institute of Fine Arts. He has held 16 solo exhibitions and joined over 100 group shows. Alongside his artistic career, he has authored 10 books on painting, sculpture, and abstract art.
In April, Hashim published three new books—History of Art: History of Humanity, Modern Sculpture, and The Art of Postmodernism—to enrich Kurdish art literature. He noted the limited availability of painting resources in Kurdish and emphasized the importance of expanding materials for students and teachers in the growing art academies and institutes of the Kurdistan Region.