statement:

Nahraine Al-Khafaji (b. 2002) is a London born Iraqi-British artist, raised between England and the Middle East. This contrast in culture informs her study of ancient Iraqi history and its importance in the modern western world she resides in.

Her practice explores the fragility of history especially after catastrophes. Where events were documented in enduring materials only to be later found destroyed and unintelligible. She represents this through fragmented forms and removal of paint from laboured paintings, echoing the erasure of information in our humanity's timeline. This becomes more distressing to Al-Khafaji when it is preventable. Events such as the infamous Baghdad Museum lootings and rebel attacks on archaeological sites are direct consequences of recent conflicts, with history becoming a target. She struggles with the fact that they become endangered once unearthed and secured in museums. Al-Khafaji questions the preservation of her own heritage, asking why Iraqi history is arguably safer when hidden and buried.

Viewers cannot fully grasp exactly what Al-Khafaji speaks through her paintings. They are encouraged to push further to make sense of them, while being forced to fill the uncertainty with personal narratives. They can never be fully comprehended as the histories are incompletely documented.

Upcoming Exhibitions:

Summix. Post-Graduate Show
Centre Space, Bristol 2025

Freelands Painting Prize 2025 Exhibition
Greatorex Street, London, 02/10/2025 - 12/10/2025

Exhibitions:

Bath Spa University Degree Show
Locksbrook Campus, Bath, 2025

RECOLLECTION
Bath Artists Studios, Bath, 2024

Eye of the Apple
44ad, Bath, 2024

Frome a Box to a Cube
Walcot Chapel, Bath, 2023

IFAD Show
Locksbrook, Bath, 2022

Education:

Bath Spa University, Fine Art BA (Hons) with Intergraded Foundation Year
2021 - 2025


Awards:

Freelands Painting Prize 2025

Talks:

Graduate Artist Talk - 2025
Locksbrook Campus, Bath