Click where indicated to see each artist's works.

Ayad Fadel

2025 PEACExHOPE Exhibition- click here

Ayad Fadel is a master of a wide range of styles- from portraiture andrealism, to expressionism and surrealism. One can see his creativeinterpretation of his and others’ experiences ranging from tender andinnocent, to inner conflict, to romance, to resilient hope in the face ofsuffering.His portraits capture the inner spirit of their subjects. His work oftenconnects with one’s feelings, emotion, even before one has thought aboutthe work. The viewer first experiences the work through a connectionfrom the spirit of the work to the viewer’s feelings, one that passes directlyto the heart.He shares, “Art helps me build bridges and imagine a better future.” His work has earned both national and international recognition.

Ali Thamer Al-Sheikh

2025 PEACExHOPE Exhibit- click hereEarlier Works- click here

Thamer al-Sheikh is an Iraqi artist, born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1951. He studied Art at the University of Baghdad, College of Fine Arts and earned a Bachelor's Degree in 1973. His talent for art making was developed and encouraged by his teachers. Among them was Faiq Hassan, who is often referred to as the father of modern art in Iraq, 'The Master' or 'The Teacher', in addition to Kadhim Haider and Mohammed Ghani Hikmat. In 1980, Thamer traveled to Italy to take a course on Color Separation. Thamer and his family sought refuge in Jordan before moving to Houston in March 2012.

Maryam Omar Abdulilah 

2025 PEACExHOPE Exhibit- click here

Maryam Omar Abdulilah is a young artist from Baghdad, Iraq, whose love for drawing began asearly as first grade. Art has always been her passion and an essentialpart of her identity. While currently pursuing studies in Accountingafter earning her GED, Maryam continues to express herself throughher artwork blending creativity with personal growth on her journeyas both an artist and student.

Maryam H. Shahzad

2025 PEACExHOPE Exhibit- click here
Shahzad is a Houston based artist from Afghanistan, whose work blends storytelling, soul, and heritage into vividly detailed acrylic paintings. Creating since childhood, she sees art not just as a medium but as a language — a way to express what words, moments, and emotions cannot fully hold. Her signature style is deeply inspired by Persian aesthetics yet distinctly her own, a fusion of traditional echoes and personal vision.Every brushstroke in Maryam’s work seeks to capture something timeless, whether it’s the beauty of Khorasan, the harmony of geometric design, or the quiet emotions that words often fail to express. To her, art extends beyond the canvas. There is artistry in living, in being present, and in embracing one’s individuality—and she brings that philosophy to every piece she creates. Her work is not meant to be seen. It is meant to be felt.

Mohamed Baro

Earlier Works- click hereMohamed Baro was born in Syria in 1961. He studied art at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad and earned a Bachelor's degree in 1983. From 1983-1986, he studied at Leonardo Di Vinci's Art Institute in Rome. Baro had participated in many exhibitions in Iraq, Jordan and Houston among them were the group exhibition in Tahrir Square in Baghdad in 1982, the Royal Culture Centre in Jordan in 2004, the Blue Vic Gallery in Jordan in 2005, Shmeisani exhibition in Jordan in 2008, and Heights Art Studios and Gallery in 2012. Along with being an artist, Mohammed is an accomplished chef, mural and a glass painter, private tutor and art teacher. Baro and his family sought refuge in Jordan before moving to the United States in 2010.

Nasrin Kary 

2025 PEACExHOPE Exhibit- click here

Nasrin Kary, originally from Iran, is a painter and filmmaker whose workblends the visual language of fine art and cinema. She began painting inchildhood and later studied studio art and filmmaking, shaping adistinctive style rooted in visual storytelling.With over 25 group and solo exhibitions, Nasrin’s work has been showcasedinternationally, reflecting her deep connection to cultural identity, freedom,and the human spirit. In addition to painting, she directed a documentaryfilm about a renowned Iranian painter, which was featured at the ViennaFilm Festival, further establishing her as a multidisciplinary artist.Her latest painting series, Women, Life, Freedom, explores themes ofresilience, strength, and the human spirit, celebrating the power andpresence of women through bold, expressive imagery.

Taghreed Al-Jaber 

2025 PEACExHOPE Exhibit- click hereEarlier Works- click here

Taghreid al-Jaber was born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1974. She earned a Fine Arts Diploma with a major in Pottery and Ceramics in 1995. She studied Art at the University of Baghdad, College of Fine Arts and earned a Bachelor's Degree in 2014 with a major in Drawing. She also holds a certificate from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Drawing Division.

Wissam Al-Khafajy

2025 PEACExHOPE Exhibit- click hereEarlier Works- click here

Wissam al-Khafajy was born in Iraq in 1971. He earned a Fine Arts Diploma with a major in Pottery and Ceramics in 1995. He was a member of the Association / Syndicate of Iraqi Artists and a member of the Organization of Visual Arts in Iraq. He worked at the Iraqi Fashion House and is currently working in various areas of visual arts.

Zubair Al Wadi

Known as the Lion of Babylon, Zubair Al Wadi specializes in the OUD, an arab guitar. He is also a teacher of cinematic music, typical of the soundtracks of Iraqi and Egyptian films of the 1950s. Read more about Zubair's journey to Houston by clicking here

Asaal Al-Ghazzee

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Asaal al-Ghazzee is an Iraqi actress and director, born in Iraq in 1981. She studied Directing and Theatrical Production at the University of Baghdad, College of Fine Arts and earned a Bachelor's Degree in 2012. Aseel and here husband fled Iraq seeking refuge in Turkey in 2012, stayed for 3 years before moving to Houston in December 2015.

Somer Atshan

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Somer Atshan is an Iraqi theatre actor, painter and tattoo artist. He was born in Iraq on April 1st, 1987, studied theatre arts and earned a diploma from the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad in 2006. He received a Bachelor's degree in theatre arts from the University of Baghdad, College of Fine Arts in 2011. Somer holds a diploma in Sketch Art from Turkey in 2014. He performed in many theatrical shows and short films across Iraq and had participated in Modern Painting Festival in Turkey. Somer and his wife fled Iraq seeking refuge in Turkey in 2012, stayed for 3 years before moving to Houston in December 2015.

Faiq Haddad

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Faiq Haddad is a contemporary expressionist artist. In 2006 he had his first solo exhibition titled, “ From Baghdad with Love, “ at the Al Zaman gallery in Beirut, Lebanon. Mr. Haddad held many art exhibits, one of the most notable was at the UNESCO Palace in Beirut in 2007. In 2009 he established his own art gallery, “LARSA,” also in Beirut, where he housed his solo exhibition called, “Art Spaces.” This exhibit was also held at the UNESCO Palace in 2010.  Mr. Haddad held his solo exhibition, “Spirituality of Art, “ in 2015 at The FINE + Folk ART Event in North Carolina, USA. In 2019, the P.E.A.C.E. Gallery hosted his most recent solo exhibition entitled, "Immersion."