Zainab is an Iraqi multimedia artist based between Baghdad and Beirut. Her practice is rooted in personal experience, where each work emerges from the perspective through which she interprets her world. Growing up amidst the political conflict in Iraq, she has been profoundly influenced by its psychological and societal impacts, which are deeply embedded in her artistic exploration.
Her approach is experimental and fluid, mirroring the evolving nature of her thoughts and obsessions. She allows her ideas to guide her exploration of diverse forms and mediums, confronting and articulating complex emotions, and transforming them into tangible expressions. While her work is often serious and introspective, Zainab also finds humor a powerful tool for expressing and processing complex ideas. The influence of the internet on contemporary life also shapes her creative practice, with digital spaces and interactions playing a significant role in her artistic expression.
In her work, Zainab engages with the intersection of visual art and politics, seeking to provoke dialogue and challenge conventional boundaries of artistic expression. Play and experimentation are integral to her process, allowing her to navigate the tensions between personal and collective narratives, creating works that resonate with diverse audiences.
Zainab holds a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts and Art History from the American University of Beirut and a Master’s degree in Fine Art Practice from the Glasgow School of Art (2022). She has participated in residencies at BilbaoArte in Spain, USF Verftet in Norway, and Ashkal Alwan in Lebanon. She was the recipient of the Prince Claus Seed Award in 2023 and has been selected for the De Ateliers residency program for 2025–2026.
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