Erbil, Monday (April 27, 2026)
Assis. Prof. Dr. Sami Ismail Khoshnaw, lecturer in the Fine Arts Department and Assistant Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Salahaddin University, delivered a scientific seminar entitled “Abstract Form in Modern Art,” shedding light on the history, theories, and development of abstract art at both the global and local levels.
The seminar provided a detailed discussion of the concept of “form” and its transformations in contemporary thought, explaining how it has evolved across disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and literary criticism. The seminar emphasized that abstract form is not merely a superficial transformation, but rather carries a deep philosophical history that dates back to the late nineteenth century.
The seminar also covered five major themes, including theories related to form and abstraction, as well as the introduction of significant global artistic experiences. An important part of the seminar was devoted to presenting the characteristics of modern art in Iraq and Kurdistan, where the artistic and national dimensions of this style in the region were analyzed.
At the conclusion, it was highlighted that this scientific study represents a valuable source for the Kurdish library and for art students in understanding the new visual language upon which abstract art has been founded at the global level. The seminar concluded with an academic discussion and the presentation of several examples of paintings and artistic works.
