Artists' Biographies
2007 Fundraising Event

Siham Yousef Aluzri

Siham Yousef Aluzri is well-known for her creative work of artistic reproduction of ancient Babylonian and Mesopotamian royal dresses. This ability has led her to concentrate on developing a unique taste for expanding her field of reproduction and restoration. Because of Aluzri's creative style and knowledge, the Iraqi Design Institute appointed her as the artist in residence for reproduction and fabrication of clothing. Her production received a widely spread recognition. Some of her garments were modeled in fashion shows throughout the Middle East , Europe and North America . Aluzri resides in Virginia with her spouse and children.

Amal Alwan

In addition to being a painter, Amal Alwan had been an English teacher at the Baghdad Secondary School before the Gulf War. Alwan paints traditional and surreal scenes of Iraqi life. Alwan’s paintings were exhibited in Baghdad galleries, and also received a warm reception in the west. Alwan and her family were forced to move to Jordan after their home was destroyed and the family received death threats. In Jordan , Amal became an active supporter of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, an organization that reports on the plight of Iraqi refugees in Jordan and helps these refugees whenever possible.

Najim H. Chechen

Najim H. Chechen, born in Kirkuk , Iraq , is a Turkmen, Iraqi-American who has been living in the US for the past 26 years. He is a professional artist who creates sculpture, pastels and drawings. Chechen founded the Fine Art Studios Sculpture Center in Orange County , NY . He is also co-founder of the Hudson Valley Sculptors Society, an organization of sculptors who live and work in the Hudson Valley . Mr. Chechen has exhibited locally, nationally and internationally. He has been awarded numerous awards, scholarships and honors. Chechen earned a Masters of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute in 1984 and a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Art , University of Baghdad in 1970.

Nasser Hajjaj

Nasser Hajjaj is an Iraqi American calligraphist, painter and poet. Born in Basra , Hajjaj is a member of "Basra Calligraphy Club" in Iraq , and " Academy of American Poets " in New York , NY . Hajjaj has exhibited in Huwair, Basra , Basra University , and the Iraqi Cultural Club in Beirut . Hajjaj’s accolades include the Lebanese University Art Award for 1998 and the Iraqi Cultural Club Award for 1999. In addition to his exhibition work, Hajjaj has also published numerous papers and literary criticisms. Hajjaj holds a Masters Degree and BA in Language Art and Literature from the Lebanese University, Beirut and has completed several courses in calligraphy, fundamentals of art, and history of art in Basra , Iraq .

Hussain Alwan

Hussain Alwan was born in Khanaqen , Iraq . From 1975 to 1980, he studied arts at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad , Iraq . He worked as an art teacher in the public schools in Diyalaa , Iraq from 1981 to 1993. Mr. Alwan left Iraq in 1993, and went on to practice theatrical arts and broadcasting in Jordan . Currently, he holds a broadcaster position with US international Broadcasting Middle- East Television Network, Radio Sawa.

Najwa Al-Amin

Najwa Al-Amin was born and raised in Baghdad and lived in the capital until the late 1990s. It was her late father, Mohamed Jasim al-Amin, an Iraqi poet who introduced her to the milieu of art and literature when she was sixteen. Her other mentor is the Iraqi artist, Nathira al-Kuttab, who now lives in Spain . Al-Amin earned an Engineering degree from the University of Baghdad , and later studied art at the Academy of Fine Arts at Baghdad University . In 2004, Al-Amin contributed to a project benefiting “partners in conflicts and partners in peace building” for The University of Maryland's Center for International Development and Conflict Management. Al-Amin resides in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Khalid Al-Jamil

A Baghdad-born Iraqi, Dr. Khalid Al-Jamil’s interest in art started at a young age, and was influenced by many Iraqi artists. His work is the product of his Iraqi background and of childhood memories in a peaceful and happy country where optimism was a part of life. He has been featured in a variety of exhibitions, including Darul Salam Center ’s 2004 Exhibit: "Visions from Iraq ". Dr. Al-Jamil attended college in the United States and Great Britain , where he completed his Ph.D. In 1979, he immigrated to the United States . He currently resides in the Washington , DC metropolitan area.